Sooner Volleyball - Senior Night - TCU Sweeps Sooners in 3 Sets

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OUBeliever56A
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Sooner Volleyball - Senior Night - TCU Sweeps Sooners in 3 Sets

Post by OUBeliever56A »

The final regular season Women's Volleyball Match was held last night in McCasland Field House against TCU. The strong TCU team prevailed over the Sooners in 3 straight sets in a very close match by the set scores of 22-25, 22-25, 21-25. Midway through the first two sets, the Sooners led 17-12 and 15-9 respectively. Both times, TCU successfully played well to overtake the Sooners by the score of 18- 23 and 16-18 respectively. From those leading scores OU battled back to make the sets close but TCU prevailed. In the third set, the score was tied at 9-all. This time TCU had a run of 6 points to 2 points, and another run of 4 to 1 point to take the lead 21-16. Once again OU rallied but was again short on the comeback.

The loss dropped the season's record to 15-13 with a 5-11 Big 12 conference record. It is a positive thing to note that the Sooners were 1-7 in the first go-round in the conference and 4-4 in the second go-round. That is positive progress for the very young Sooners within the conference matches. The Sooner did keep getting better as the season progressed. The Sooners finished the season with a 7-6 home record and a 6-5 road record with a 2-2 record on neutral floors.

Senior Night was centered around the three Sooners that will not return to the Sooners next season. Grace Talpash, Savannah Davidson and Adria Oliver.

Grace Talpash - After one season at the University of San Francisco, Talpash transferred to Oklahoma. She filled the setters role in 2020 for about half of the season and was a situational player on defense and as a server in her final two seasons.

Savannah Davison - After spending four years at New Mexico State, Davison transferred to Oklahoma as potential starter as a outside hitter and a solid all-around player. That is what Davison provided to the Sooners. As I sat and watched warmup in my first OU volleyball game in 2021, I was greatly impressed with Davison's jumping ability and athletic ability. It was always a encouraging thing to watch her play a game that is dominated by very tall young ladies and compete with them as a not-so-tall lady. I respect Davison, without knowing her for her efforts as a senior. As things happen in sports, when a team decides to turn to young players with a huge upside, Seniors sometimes asked to take a back seat. Davison did that this season. It is a credit to her that she did nothing but support the team and was their to lend a hand when asked.

Adria Oliver - Oliver played as a freshman at Clemson. She then transferred to Cincinnati and played three more seasons with strong numbers and accolades. for the 2022 season, Oliver transferred to Oklahoma for her graduate year. Oliver quickly became a middle blocker that started for Oklahoma this season. She was a strong player for OU this season and filled a void left from the 2021 squad.

All three ladies, played well as Sooners and contributed to a program that is turning things positive for Coach Gray-Walton.

In addition to the three players honored last night, former player-turned team manager Rylie Gregston, along with support staff – Caraleigh Freund (graduate assistant) and Chandler Church (student athletic trainer), where honored for their contributions to the program. (I borrowed that from the staff writers article to make sure an get it right.)

IMO, the Sooner Volleyball Team had a successful 2022 season while playing many talented young players. The season was a large step towards a team that can challenge the Big 12 programs in 2023 and beyond. Of course to do that, the team needs to move ahead without any unexpected changes in the roster. Currently, the Sooners have 7 of nine 'starters returning for the 2023 season. Sophomores, Megan Wilson OH (sure to make some All-Big 12 teams), Callie Kemohah Libero (should make some All Big 12 teams), Payton Chamberlain Setter (provided the Sooners with a next level effort in the 2022 season) all return to build upon a strong 2022 season. Freshman, Morgan Perkins MB (should make the freshman All Big 12 team), Taylor Preston OH (should make the freshman All Big 12 team) and Alexis Shelton OH (should make the freshman All Big 12 team). All three could also make All Big 12 team honors also. Chloe Kaminski, Def Specialist/Server, played very well in a supportive role and was in the lineup al season as a freshman.

The Sooners need to replace Oliver and Talpash.

MB next year - Kelsey Carrington (JR MB) could be the first candidate for the role to replace Oliver, Kristen Birmingham (JR) could also be in the running for the role as well. the Sooners also have a highly recruited Freshman coming in for the 2023 season named Hannah Pfiffner, a 6'1" who is a MB. I expect her to be in the running also. Fellow new freshman, Mele Corral-Blagojevich, a 6'1" OH could also possibly switch over to play MB as the outside hitter positions are pretty full (Wilson, Preston, Shelton). But Corral-Blagojevich is an all-around player and could play back-row it sounds like also. More hitters in the game provides options for the team on offense.

Def Specialist-Server Next Year - Preferred Walk-On Sydney Thompson has had some moments as a freshman during the 2022 season. She has the talent to play a role for the Sooners in 2023.

Uncertain thoughts about returning players.

Peyton Dunn - Setter. Dunn played early in the season as the Sooner setter. After an ankle injury on the west coast trip, I do not think that she suited up again except for one game in Abilene. With the Sooners playing a 6-1 lineup, there is no room for a second setter unless the Sooners will swap back to a 5-2 lineup. IMO Chamberlain is an upgrade over Dunn, but Dunn is still good. It will be interesting to watch what happens with Dunn. Does she stay or does she not stay?

Tyler Alcorn - MB. I think she suffered a leg injury early in the year and was not with the team or suited up in many matches at all in 2022. I have always like Alcorn as a player. This is another case where there is just no telling if she returns or does not.

Beth Bayless - OH. She was a preferred walk-on from the Tulsa Area in 2022 and she did play some in the early matches. She is a fine player with good all-around skills. I think she returns.

Incoming Freshman 5'8" Setter - Emma Henry. She is a Norman native. She has great all-around stats from high school. She may be able to challenge for some playing time in 2023.

The 2022 season was a large improvement in the Sooner Volleyball team that took the floor and played. They did become a team that in 2023 will have to be considered as a top half Big 12 team. Maybe a Top 3 team in the Big 12. I am looking forward to the 2023 Season for the team and Coach Gray-Walton.

Boomer Sooner!
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