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Rockets stop Lady Yellowjackets in 5

Choctaw falls in season opener, 3-2

 

By Ryan Horton
Managing Editor

 

Choctaw High School volleyball opened the 2020 season with a 3-2 loss to Mount Saint Mary.

Under the direction of first year head coach Larry Lanham, the Lady Yellowjackets looked ready to prove they’re contenders this season.

CHS was competitive all night as the varsity matchup went to five sets.

Mount St. Mary’s took the season opening win with a 15-12 score in the final set.

The final tally for the night was 25-22, 23-25, 25-14, 21-25, and 15-12 to cap the match.

“They’re always really good. It was a good game. It was a pretty good performance for our first game, and I’m excited for our future,” said Lanham.

“We had some tittle things that are easily corrected. We hit a lot of balls long and have to work on correcting. They’re a really good team, and we’re proud of how we played. Compared to last season’s opening day we looked pretty good. We worked hard, and never gave up. We kept a positive attitude, and in a tough loss like this that’s good early in the season. We have a positive outlook and I’m excited for them.”

Choctaw High School’s Josie Thomas (4) sets Mackenzie Stover (18) in the season opener vs. Mount St. Mary’s. (PHOTO BY RYAN HORTON)

The CHS lineup features five seniors and plenty of youth.

Seniors include Josie Thomas, Mackenzie Stover, Quyntana Bateson, Logan Hausman, and Jacey Simons.

Those seniors are joined by three juniors and three sophomores.

Earlier in the night Choctaw’s freshmen team won 2-0, and the junior varsity lost in the third set vs. Mount St. Mary’s.

Taffy Harman remains the volleyball assistant coach, while CHS alumna Ashton Davis has returned as the freshman coach.

Athletic director Mike Hessman said he was impressed with the Aug. 10 season opener ticket sales.

A large early August crowd made coaches confident people are ready to get out and watch some sports since COVID-19 has been ruining schedules since March.

“We had a lot of people here including some of the student body. That’s a good sign to get rolling before school has even started,” said Lanham.

The CHS coach says the uncertainty about the fall sports schedule still has everyone concerned.

“We canceled the big scrimmages we had scheduled, but we did get two regular scrimmages. We played CHA and the Storm, and we did pretty well,” said Lanham. “As of now our tournaments are still on. We just have to see what happens.”

The first tourney for Choctaw is the annual visit to rival Carl Albert, a team the Lady Jackets always try to face early in the season.

“I like the coaches over there, but it’s a good rivalry for the kids. We always have a big crowd there and they always bring a crowd here,” said Lanham.

Choctaw faces the Titans on the road this year Tuesday, Aug. 18.

Games start at 4, 5 and 6 p.m. moving through ninth grade, junior varsity, and varsity lineups.

Aug. 21-22 Choctaw should return to CA for the annual tournament.

Photos of CHS vs. Mount Saint Mary by Ryan Horton

 

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