For Claremore Volleyball, some things don’t seem to change.
Lady Zebras has grown into a lasting force in the second half of the last decade and has participated in Class 5A state tournaments in four of the last five years (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021). They recorded 100 wins during that period and reached the semifinals for the first time in school history three years ago.
Claremore, who has returned some important parts from last year’s state quarterfinal team, is expected to re-enter the top class 5A team in 2022.
Despite its apparent stability, the Lady Zebras Volleyball Program was inconsistent in coaching positions.
Darek Jackson, who comes to Claremore after a three-year mission at Sand Springs, is the school’s third volleyball coach in four seasons. He will take over Kim Mabbott, who has led the program in the last two seasons and led Lady Zebras to the Class 5A State Tournament in 2021.
Prior to that, Victoria Giron established a culture of victory, leading Claremore to three consecutive state tournament appearances.
Now it’s up to Jackson to maintain and improve the victorious tradition planted by last year’s coaches. That’s the main reason he was drawn to the largest school in Rogers County.
“It’s hard not to like to win a little,” Jackson said. “This is a new challenge in that it has taken over two programs that have been very difficult in the past, but this is not one. So not only do you learn to win them, but how do you win them? Continuing and how to keep pushing them is a kind of new dynamic for me. It’s a little different … I think I’m just trying to get them to trust me, guide them and create a culture. It removes some weight from a kind of their own shoulders. There were discussions and ups and downs, but the first few days of practice so far have been really competitive. They are what we want. They are trying to do, they are well connected and they are good teammates with each other. I think they are on track so far.
“It’s always something you need to work on and I think many coaches will slip, and it will always bite them somewhere in the ass.”
Fortunately, Jackson doesn’t have to go alone. Joining him as the only assistant coach is Niki Bowman, who recently resigned from Collinsville Volleyball Coach.
Managing the five teams between them (from 7th grade to diversity) is a daunting task, but Jackson says he’s determined to do whatever it takes to make a student athlete successful. rice field.
“She helped me a lot,” Jackson said. “… We spread pretty thin and give these kids everything we have. I’m tired of being a coach in three days, but I have a quality coach like her. Without it, I don’t think there will be any long-term success. She’s great to help me build this program in the right way to succeed not only this year, but years ahead. He did the job. “
Important question: Can Claremore manage the load of the game?
Previously, teams were assigned access to three tournaments and a set number of standalone conference / non-conference matches. However, as of a few years ago, teams were able to play in up to 4 tournaments and 12 standalone matches. This allows for more games on the schedule.
In 2021, Lady Zebras played 37 regular season matches, even though she only participated in three tournaments. Participated in Kaueta Tournament (August 12-13), Sapalpa Tournament (August 19-20), Cash Tournament (September 16-17), Claire More Invitational (September 16-17) Therefore, the number will definitely exceed 40. September 23-24).
“We have more games and therefore more practice days,” Jackson said. “We need to make sure we try to handle it correctly.”
Main returnees: entire senior class
Claremore certainly doesn’t hurt senior management.
Lady Zebras has seven seniors on the roster, led by Ella Irvin, one of the team’s kill and block leaders last year. Elsa Rhodes, Abby Dake, Hannah Dorsey, Gracie Howe, Nicky Parziale and Reese Newman are also expected to contribute brilliantly.
“We have a lot of them (seniors), but I think they all will find some way to help,” Jackson said.
Ella Ramsey and Claire Hardage’s sophomore duo lead a large group of junior students, including Chilean international student Augustina Munoz and Italy’s Elisabetta Bertoli.
Key Game: Coweta Tournament
Claremore doesn’t have to wait long to see how to compete with top-notch competition.
In this year’s Coweta tournament, Lady Zebras will be joining four teams, Carl Albert, Piedmont, MacArthur and Sapulpa, who held the Class 5A State Tournament in 2021. Carl Albert ended as a runner-up while Piedmont reached the semi-finals after eliminating Claremore in the first round.
The tournament will take place on the first weekend of the season, August 12-13.
“They probably have teams that make up four, five, or six teams in class 5A,” Jackson said. “I don’t particularly like being early in the season, but it shows where you’re standing really fast. Whether you like it or not, how the tournament ends , Really determine how their first ranking is done.
“It shapes how the rest of the year tends to unfold.”
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