- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,257,085
- Reaction score
- 59
Getting to the state tournament has become familiar territory for Claremore.
Now, the Lady Zebras want to stay long enough to play for the gold ball.
After establishing themselves as a perennial state contender, Claremore enters the 2026 volleyball season with perhaps its clearest objective yet: reach the Class 5A state championship match.
The Lady Zebras have the experience, talent and, most importantly, a senior class that coach Derek Jackson said he believes is ready to take that next step.
“Our goal is to make it to the finals,” Jackson said. “We have a lot of kids that are seniors. They've seen a lot of state-tournament matches. They've seen a lot of quality matches, and they're ready to take that next step, too. That's our goal now. Not just make it, but start taking steps forward.”
That sense of urgency has helped shape Claremore's approach throughout the offseason.
Even the slogan "Now What?" printed on the team's shirts carries a reminder not to become satisfied with past accomplishments. Jackson wants his players constantly looking ahead, whether things are going well or poorly.
It is a volleyball philosophy, but also one he hopes follows his players beyond the court: Don't become complacent. Keep improving.
“We're really good, but now what? Do we just get big heads and think we deserve it, or should we show up and work harder,” Jackson said. “If we have a bad game, now what? Are we going to pout and cry or [do the opposite]? You can look at it the other way, too. ‘All right, we just had a big win — what do we do, stop trying now?’ It's just kind of having that next-step mentality. Don't get too lost in what's happening in the moment and just always be thinking about going forward.
“There's other things outside of volleyball as well that's going to be coming your way,” Jackson added. “Everything kind of comes to an end. It all has its season, so we try to make it lifelike for them to give them some lessons.”
There are plenty of reasons for optimism.
The Lady Zebras return a senior core headlined by Addison Doyle, Grace Baughman and Madison Godding, all of whom Jackson views as potential all-state players.
Doyle has been particularly imposing throughout the summer.
The senior middle finished Claremore's Branson camp with a .443 hitting percentage, well above what Jackson considers an already strong .350 mark for a middle. She continued producing during the Lady Zebras' subsequent team camps and scrimmages, including a 10-point performance against Broken Arrow.
Her development hasn't simply been about hitting harder.
Jackson has praised Doyle's improved ability to pick her spots, knowing when to unleash a powerful swing and when to play under control. That decision-making has helped make her one of Claremore's most efficient offensive weapons.
Baughman gives the Lady Zebras another do-it-all presence.
During the CZ Super Scrimmage this week at the Doug K. Mosier Athletic Complex, she stuffed the stat sheet with 16 kills, 12 aces, 77 assists, 27 digs and 7 blocks.
Godding provides another experienced piece, particularly in the back row, and gives Claremore additional flexibility as a setter. In the CZ Super Scrimmage, she tallied 86 digs and 20 aces.
However, the Lady Zebras' aspirations aren't built entirely around their established stars.
Claremore spent much of the summer developing a deeper rotation, and several players have emerged as legitimate options.
Ava Tanner has flashed considerable offensive potential. Jackson said the next step is developing the consistency necessary to turn those flashes into dependable production.
“She has her moments where she looks almost dominant,” Jackson said. “I'm not sure I'd go with dominant, but almost. She can have moments that are pretty darn good for us.”
Madison Berger has caught his attention for another reason: efficiency. She may not always produce the gaudiest point totals, but Jackson has been impressed with how effectively she converts her opportunities.
Meanwhile, newcomers Emme Baker and Ivorie Baker have added another dimension to the front row.
Ivorie Baker, a sophomore who came to Claremore from Owasso, has been tested in multiple roles as the Lady Zebras determine their best combinations. Emme Baker has similarly provided additional firepower and could see time in the middle.
Emme Baker offered a glimpse of that potential during Tuesday's CZ Super Scrimmage.
After scoring only 3 points across a three-match stretch, she broke loose against Ponca City with 4 kills in the opening set and two more in the abbreviated second.
“They’ve both got things to learn, and they're trying to drink from the fire hydrant, so to speak,” Jackson said of Emme and Ivorie Baker. “They'll get there, but they're making some headway really quick for us.”
Audrey Shaw is another option in the middle, giving Jackson enough pieces that the opening-day lineup isn't necessarily set in stone.
That is by design.
Rather than locking players into positions based on reputation, Jackson wants performance and efficiency to dictate playing time. Doyle has even been experimented with in different spots as Claremore searches for the combinations that give it the best chance to win.
“We've looked at some crazy things to see if it'll work,” Jackson said. “So I don't have a guarantee of what I'll see [in the season opener].”
The results throughout the summer have offered encouraging signs.
The Lady Zebras went 10-6 against a loaded field at the Licking Summer Camp in Branson, Missouri, competing in the event's toughest pools and reaching its top bracket.
Claremore has continued testing itself since returning home.
It went unbeaten at a recent team camp against Sand Springs, Glenpool, Sapulpa, Collinsville and Ponca City, then followed with official victories over Carl Albert, Weatherford, Bartlesville, Ponca City, Cache, Metro Christian, Christian Heritage and Rogers Heritage during the CZ Super Scrimmage.
The schedule won't become any easier once the matches start counting.
Altus looms as one of Claremore's most important measuring sticks. Jackson views the Lady Bulldogs as a top-five-caliber team, and the programs are already familiar with one another on a championship stage. Altus was the only team to defeat the Lady Zebras at the CZ Super Scrimmage.
Broken Arrow presents another major challenge after giving Claremore trouble during the summer. The Lady Zebras led the Lady Tigers 7-2 in the semifinals of an earlier team camp before a series of small mistakes helped Broken Arrow rally for a 25-18 victory.
Claremore will also travel to the Carl Junction tournament, where another quality field should provide valuable tests.
Those matches carry significance beyond simply adding wins and losses to the record. Jackson said he knows Claremore must consistently perform against teams in and around the top 10 if it wants to establish and maintain favorable positioning for the postseason.
“Those would be great, great games for us to compete hard and try to steal some sets on the road,” Jackson said. “I'd like to see at the end how many top-10 matches we actually end up with. I think it'll be quite a few.”
For Jackson, however, the coming months carry another layer of significance.
He has watched this senior class develop into the foundation of a program accustomed to playing deep into October. There are only so many practices and matches remaining with them, and Jackson intends to appreciate those opportunities.
There is also one way to extend their time together as long as possible.
Make it all the way to the final match.
“I'm excited for the season,” Jackson said. “I’ve got a great group of seniors, and I'm gonna cherish and soak in this year the best I can.”
Continue reading...
Now, the Lady Zebras want to stay long enough to play for the gold ball.
After establishing themselves as a perennial state contender, Claremore enters the 2026 volleyball season with perhaps its clearest objective yet: reach the Class 5A state championship match.
The Lady Zebras have the experience, talent and, most importantly, a senior class that coach Derek Jackson said he believes is ready to take that next step.
“Our goal is to make it to the finals,” Jackson said. “We have a lot of kids that are seniors. They've seen a lot of state-tournament matches. They've seen a lot of quality matches, and they're ready to take that next step, too. That's our goal now. Not just make it, but start taking steps forward.”
That sense of urgency has helped shape Claremore's approach throughout the offseason.
Even the slogan "Now What?" printed on the team's shirts carries a reminder not to become satisfied with past accomplishments. Jackson wants his players constantly looking ahead, whether things are going well or poorly.
It is a volleyball philosophy, but also one he hopes follows his players beyond the court: Don't become complacent. Keep improving.
“We're really good, but now what? Do we just get big heads and think we deserve it, or should we show up and work harder,” Jackson said. “If we have a bad game, now what? Are we going to pout and cry or [do the opposite]? You can look at it the other way, too. ‘All right, we just had a big win — what do we do, stop trying now?’ It's just kind of having that next-step mentality. Don't get too lost in what's happening in the moment and just always be thinking about going forward.
“There's other things outside of volleyball as well that's going to be coming your way,” Jackson added. “Everything kind of comes to an end. It all has its season, so we try to make it lifelike for them to give them some lessons.”
There are plenty of reasons for optimism.
The Lady Zebras return a senior core headlined by Addison Doyle, Grace Baughman and Madison Godding, all of whom Jackson views as potential all-state players.
Doyle has been particularly imposing throughout the summer.
The senior middle finished Claremore's Branson camp with a .443 hitting percentage, well above what Jackson considers an already strong .350 mark for a middle. She continued producing during the Lady Zebras' subsequent team camps and scrimmages, including a 10-point performance against Broken Arrow.
Her development hasn't simply been about hitting harder.
Jackson has praised Doyle's improved ability to pick her spots, knowing when to unleash a powerful swing and when to play under control. That decision-making has helped make her one of Claremore's most efficient offensive weapons.
Baughman gives the Lady Zebras another do-it-all presence.
During the CZ Super Scrimmage this week at the Doug K. Mosier Athletic Complex, she stuffed the stat sheet with 16 kills, 12 aces, 77 assists, 27 digs and 7 blocks.
Godding provides another experienced piece, particularly in the back row, and gives Claremore additional flexibility as a setter. In the CZ Super Scrimmage, she tallied 86 digs and 20 aces.
However, the Lady Zebras' aspirations aren't built entirely around their established stars.
Claremore spent much of the summer developing a deeper rotation, and several players have emerged as legitimate options.
Ava Tanner has flashed considerable offensive potential. Jackson said the next step is developing the consistency necessary to turn those flashes into dependable production.
“She has her moments where she looks almost dominant,” Jackson said. “I'm not sure I'd go with dominant, but almost. She can have moments that are pretty darn good for us.”
Madison Berger has caught his attention for another reason: efficiency. She may not always produce the gaudiest point totals, but Jackson has been impressed with how effectively she converts her opportunities.
Meanwhile, newcomers Emme Baker and Ivorie Baker have added another dimension to the front row.
Ivorie Baker, a sophomore who came to Claremore from Owasso, has been tested in multiple roles as the Lady Zebras determine their best combinations. Emme Baker has similarly provided additional firepower and could see time in the middle.
Emme Baker offered a glimpse of that potential during Tuesday's CZ Super Scrimmage.
After scoring only 3 points across a three-match stretch, she broke loose against Ponca City with 4 kills in the opening set and two more in the abbreviated second.
“They’ve both got things to learn, and they're trying to drink from the fire hydrant, so to speak,” Jackson said of Emme and Ivorie Baker. “They'll get there, but they're making some headway really quick for us.”
Audrey Shaw is another option in the middle, giving Jackson enough pieces that the opening-day lineup isn't necessarily set in stone.
That is by design.
Rather than locking players into positions based on reputation, Jackson wants performance and efficiency to dictate playing time. Doyle has even been experimented with in different spots as Claremore searches for the combinations that give it the best chance to win.
“We've looked at some crazy things to see if it'll work,” Jackson said. “So I don't have a guarantee of what I'll see [in the season opener].”
The results throughout the summer have offered encouraging signs.
The Lady Zebras went 10-6 against a loaded field at the Licking Summer Camp in Branson, Missouri, competing in the event's toughest pools and reaching its top bracket.
Claremore has continued testing itself since returning home.
It went unbeaten at a recent team camp against Sand Springs, Glenpool, Sapulpa, Collinsville and Ponca City, then followed with official victories over Carl Albert, Weatherford, Bartlesville, Ponca City, Cache, Metro Christian, Christian Heritage and Rogers Heritage during the CZ Super Scrimmage.
The schedule won't become any easier once the matches start counting.
Altus looms as one of Claremore's most important measuring sticks. Jackson views the Lady Bulldogs as a top-five-caliber team, and the programs are already familiar with one another on a championship stage. Altus was the only team to defeat the Lady Zebras at the CZ Super Scrimmage.
Broken Arrow presents another major challenge after giving Claremore trouble during the summer. The Lady Zebras led the Lady Tigers 7-2 in the semifinals of an earlier team camp before a series of small mistakes helped Broken Arrow rally for a 25-18 victory.
Claremore will also travel to the Carl Junction tournament, where another quality field should provide valuable tests.
Those matches carry significance beyond simply adding wins and losses to the record. Jackson said he knows Claremore must consistently perform against teams in and around the top 10 if it wants to establish and maintain favorable positioning for the postseason.
“Those would be great, great games for us to compete hard and try to steal some sets on the road,” Jackson said. “I'd like to see at the end how many top-10 matches we actually end up with. I think it'll be quite a few.”
For Jackson, however, the coming months carry another layer of significance.
He has watched this senior class develop into the foundation of a program accustomed to playing deep into October. There are only so many practices and matches remaining with them, and Jackson intends to appreciate those opportunities.
There is also one way to extend their time together as long as possible.
Make it all the way to the final match.
“I'm excited for the season,” Jackson said. “I’ve got a great group of seniors, and I'm gonna cherish and soak in this year the best I can.”
Continue reading...
