By Blake Colston
Sports Editor
No. 3 Piedmont has revenge on its mind as it opens the Class 5A state volleyball tournament Thursday at Newcastle High School.
“They’ve gotten to be our rival in many ways over the last four years,” head coach Tom Williams said. “It’s a friendly rivalry, but sometimes friends really want to beat the heck out of each other.”
The last meeting between Piedmont and Carl Albert was one-sided. The sixth-ranked Titans rolled past PHS 3-1, taking the third and fourth sets 25-9 and 25-12. That loss hasn’t set well with the Lady Wildcats.
Advancing to the state semifinals for the second consecutive season while also knocking out Carl Albert would be extra satisfying.
“I think the kids are eager to get back at them,” Williams said.
In the match between PHS and Carl Albert on Sept. 27, Piedmont played uncharacteristically poorly in all phases. The Lady ‘Cats won the first set, but nothing went right after that. Once things started downhill, Piedmont wasn’t able to right the ship.
“We had moments during the season we didn’t play well and things snow-balled, and that was one of those nights,” Williams said. “I think that will work to our advantage in this match because I think we’ll play harder.”
Piedmont is 5-0 in its matches since the loss, including a win over Class 6A power Deer Creek – Piedmont’s first-ever victory over the Antlers – to close the regular season. PHS coasted through the regional playoffs with three-set victories over Midwest City and McAlester.
“We’re really connected as a team right now and we’re motivated on and off the court,” senior middle hitter Hannah Carlton said.
Piedmont logged six extra practices during its 10-day layoff after defeating McAlester Oct. 10. Williams said those practices focused on improving the team’s serve-receive game as well as working on communication on the court.
“They’ve been working hard and really getting after it. The players volunteered to stay late every day,” he said. “It’s that time of the year.”
If Piedmont can get past Carl Albert, No. 2 Bishop McGuinness or Sapulpa would be up next. Top-seed Mount St. Mary’s is on the opposite side of the bracket so the Lady Wildcats would not play the Rockets until the championship game.
“I think we’re capable of it,” Williams said of advancing that far. “Once you’re there, anything can happen.”
Last season, Piedmont won its first state tournament game in program history. This year, the Lady Wildcats are ranked third in Class 5A.
“Over the last four years, things have changed in this program. It says something about the kind of kids we’re getting in here,” Williams said.
EARLY START TIME
Piedmont and Carl Albert are the opening game of the day in Newcastle, which means an unusually early start time of 9:30. Combined with a 45-minute commute from Piedmont, the Lady Wildcats will be up bright and early.
Williams doesn’t expect that to be much of a factor, but Piedmont will make some changes to their pre-game routine just in case.
“I think you have to have a better warm up,” Williams said. “Teenagers are not morning people like me.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Hannah Carlton
Carlton dominated in Piedmont’s regional championship game victory over McAlester and her play at the net will be a key factor vs. Carl Albert.
Kaylie Marshall
Marshall leads Piedmont in kills on the season and is on the radar of college recruiters across the region. The Lady Wildcats will need a big game from their senior star to advance.
Macy Lee
Marshall and Carlton can’t make an impact on the game if Lee, Piedmont’s setter, isn’t at her best. The senior also has a knack for playing dump shots at the right time.
