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Junior varsity opponents rarely tell the full story of a volleyball team.
In a summer-league setting, however, they provide an opportunity to showcase depth. And Tuesday at the Doug K. Mosier Athletic Complex, Claremore took full advantage.
The Lady Zebras won every match during the second week of summer league, continuing the steady progress they have shown throughout June while giving several emerging contributors a chance to shine.
Among the biggest standouts was Grace Baughman, a player whose impact often goes beyond the stat sheet.
Primarily used as a setter/right-side hybrid, Baughman is usually tasked with distributing the offense rather than finishing points herself. On Tuesday, though, she became one of Claremore's most dangerous attackers.
“She's just more efficient,” Claremore coach Derek Jackson said. “I would agree that she's more efficient right now. She's done a good job of some technical things, of opening her shoulders up and being able to go line, and she's making good decisions as a hitter. So it's not that she's hammering balls, she's just scoring more often. She's a bigger threat due to the fact that she's scoring, not that she's hammering. We want to be scorers. I don’t care if you’re a hitter — be a scorer, find a way. She’s done a good job on that, for sure.”
That efficiency was on full display in the Lady Zebras' final match of the day, a 42-14 victory over Sapulpa's junior-varsity squad. Baughman finished with 7 kills and an ace while consistently finding ways to terminate rallies.
Tayvn Smith added 6 kills and a block assist, while Madison Berger contributed 4 kills. Megan Mosley and Alivia Payne each recorded 2 aces, and Kinley Gean added a block and a block assist.
Tuesday represented a significant step forward from the previous week's summer-league opener.
Jackson noted the Lady Zebras started matches much more effectively, avoiding the early deficits that occasionally plagued them a week ago. Instead, Claremore played with greater control and offensive rhythm from the outset.
“We had a way better start,” Jackson said. “I thought we started not very good last week, and this week that was something we talked about right out of the gate because we wanted to start better, be more controlled. We don't have to go hammer balls, but just have a much more efficient start, don't be down in a hole. They did that very well out of the gate, compared to last week.”
Berger continued to strengthen her case for a larger role entering the fall season.
The middle blocker has impressed coaches with both her readiness and versatility.
While Jackson believes there is still room for her to become more aggressive offensively, he has been pleased with her consistency and development.
“She played JV last year, got good reps,” Jackson said. “This club season's been good for her. She played a little more high-level ball, so I think it got her more ready for this. Now that Faith Caffey has graduated, she's in the hunt for a middle position, and she's doing well. Very efficient as well. I'd like to see her be a little more aggressive because I think she can maintain the efficiency while being more aggressive in the same breath, but she's doing a good job for us.”
Several back-row players also drew praise from the coaching staff.
Smith continued to provide stability defensively, while Mosley displayed confidence beyond her years as a freshman. Ava Tanner, Madison Godding, Alivia Payne and Bailey Richison were also recognized for their passing, serve-receive work and overall reliability.
Another encouraging development came from Jackie Hinojosa, who is continuing her return from an ACL injury. While still working her way back physically, Jackson said her confidence and mentality continue to improve.
Perhaps just as important as the on-court performance was the growth shown throughout the roster.
Claremore entered the day without a complete lineup and continued using summer league as an opportunity to evaluate depth, create competition and develop players who could become key contributors during the regular season.
That process has been aided by what Jackson described as the strongest coaching staff of his tenure.
Assistant coach Angela Stevenson was credited for taking a larger leadership role during Tuesday's JV matches in the morning, allowing multiple coaches to provide individualized instruction throughout the day.
“I was kind of able to sit back, do some other things, so our coaching staff that I'm very, very blessed to have continually has taken more and more on with their plates and do a good job with it to help these kids,” Jackson said. “Looking down there when varsity's playing, and I can see them yakking with this kid and this kid and this kid. That's four or five kids getting feedback at any given time. It's exciting to see our kids get more coaching. I think that's good for everyone.”
Results remain secondary in June, but the Lady Zebras liked what they saw Tuesday.
“The kids do a good job of playing with the big dogs and not playing scared,” Jackson said. “They just stepped in there and played.”
Continue reading...
In a summer-league setting, however, they provide an opportunity to showcase depth. And Tuesday at the Doug K. Mosier Athletic Complex, Claremore took full advantage.
The Lady Zebras won every match during the second week of summer league, continuing the steady progress they have shown throughout June while giving several emerging contributors a chance to shine.
Among the biggest standouts was Grace Baughman, a player whose impact often goes beyond the stat sheet.
Primarily used as a setter/right-side hybrid, Baughman is usually tasked with distributing the offense rather than finishing points herself. On Tuesday, though, she became one of Claremore's most dangerous attackers.
“She's just more efficient,” Claremore coach Derek Jackson said. “I would agree that she's more efficient right now. She's done a good job of some technical things, of opening her shoulders up and being able to go line, and she's making good decisions as a hitter. So it's not that she's hammering balls, she's just scoring more often. She's a bigger threat due to the fact that she's scoring, not that she's hammering. We want to be scorers. I don’t care if you’re a hitter — be a scorer, find a way. She’s done a good job on that, for sure.”
That efficiency was on full display in the Lady Zebras' final match of the day, a 42-14 victory over Sapulpa's junior-varsity squad. Baughman finished with 7 kills and an ace while consistently finding ways to terminate rallies.
Tayvn Smith added 6 kills and a block assist, while Madison Berger contributed 4 kills. Megan Mosley and Alivia Payne each recorded 2 aces, and Kinley Gean added a block and a block assist.
Tuesday represented a significant step forward from the previous week's summer-league opener.
Jackson noted the Lady Zebras started matches much more effectively, avoiding the early deficits that occasionally plagued them a week ago. Instead, Claremore played with greater control and offensive rhythm from the outset.
“We had a way better start,” Jackson said. “I thought we started not very good last week, and this week that was something we talked about right out of the gate because we wanted to start better, be more controlled. We don't have to go hammer balls, but just have a much more efficient start, don't be down in a hole. They did that very well out of the gate, compared to last week.”
Berger continued to strengthen her case for a larger role entering the fall season.
The middle blocker has impressed coaches with both her readiness and versatility.
While Jackson believes there is still room for her to become more aggressive offensively, he has been pleased with her consistency and development.
“She played JV last year, got good reps,” Jackson said. “This club season's been good for her. She played a little more high-level ball, so I think it got her more ready for this. Now that Faith Caffey has graduated, she's in the hunt for a middle position, and she's doing well. Very efficient as well. I'd like to see her be a little more aggressive because I think she can maintain the efficiency while being more aggressive in the same breath, but she's doing a good job for us.”
Several back-row players also drew praise from the coaching staff.
Smith continued to provide stability defensively, while Mosley displayed confidence beyond her years as a freshman. Ava Tanner, Madison Godding, Alivia Payne and Bailey Richison were also recognized for their passing, serve-receive work and overall reliability.
Another encouraging development came from Jackie Hinojosa, who is continuing her return from an ACL injury. While still working her way back physically, Jackson said her confidence and mentality continue to improve.
Perhaps just as important as the on-court performance was the growth shown throughout the roster.
Claremore entered the day without a complete lineup and continued using summer league as an opportunity to evaluate depth, create competition and develop players who could become key contributors during the regular season.
That process has been aided by what Jackson described as the strongest coaching staff of his tenure.
Assistant coach Angela Stevenson was credited for taking a larger leadership role during Tuesday's JV matches in the morning, allowing multiple coaches to provide individualized instruction throughout the day.
“I was kind of able to sit back, do some other things, so our coaching staff that I'm very, very blessed to have continually has taken more and more on with their plates and do a good job with it to help these kids,” Jackson said. “Looking down there when varsity's playing, and I can see them yakking with this kid and this kid and this kid. That's four or five kids getting feedback at any given time. It's exciting to see our kids get more coaching. I think that's good for everyone.”
Results remain secondary in June, but the Lady Zebras liked what they saw Tuesday.
“The kids do a good job of playing with the big dogs and not playing scared,” Jackson said. “They just stepped in there and played.”
Continue reading...
