All-State standard

By BEN JOHNSON

Press Sports Editor

When people reflect back on the history of Tahlequah athletics, they’ll see that Sarah Nelson was the first-ever volleyball player to be named to the Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State team.

Not just another THS all-stater. The very first – setting a standard for all other volleyball players that follow in her footsteps.

So Sarah, how does it feel to accomplish something so momentous and so historic for Tahlequah High School?

“It feels pretty cool,” said the mild-mannered and soft-spoken Nelson. “I was just so excited because I was the first one to make the All-State team for volleyball.”

The Lady Tigers’ three-year letterman will don the Black and Orange one last time when she plays in the small-school OCA All-State game tonight at Broken Arrow High School. Nelson, and her Small East teammates, will take on Small West at 6 before the large-school game at 7:30.

As far as Tahlequah coach Don Ogden is concerned, Nelson’s nomination not only speaks volumes about her ability, but also about how far along the program has come.

“It’s a great honor,” said Ogden, whose Lady Tigers went 36-5 and earned a berth in the Class 5A state tournament in 2009. “Really, the biggest thing we’re pleased with is the recognition it brings to the program.”

Prior to Nelson’s arrival at the varsity level, Tahlequah meandered through average seasons of 10-16 in 2005 and 11-11-1 in 2006.

Things quickly changed with Nelson on board. She brought a tireless work ethic and a will to win to the Lady Tigers.

“Sarah put in a lot of extra time [on the court],” Ogden said. “She’s really been the first girl in the program that’s gone above and beyond [what we expected]. She did play tennis, but she really spent a lot of time with volleyball.”

Nelson’s volleyball experience wasn’t just limited to high school action, she played years of club ball to enhance her game.

“She was the first girl that really played a lot of club ball,” Ogden said. “Her parents took her all over the country and found her a team to play on, and she got a lot of extra play time.”

Nelson’s limitless potential extended to off-the-court activities, as well. Ogden praised Nelson for her knack of being a leader in the classroom, too.

“She was such a good model for us,” he said. “Not only on the court, but in the classroom. Away from sports, she was just that perfect model.”

Those qualities will last beyond her years at THS, according to Ogden.

“What that does is that it sets a standard for all those little kids,” Ogden said. “How to be, how to act and all of those things – you may not see them over night – but they’ll all be engraved in the brains of all those younger players.”

A humble Nelson deferred any credit to herself and instead said the 2009 team will be the blueprint to Tahlequah’s future.

“It was the best season ever,” said Nelson, THS’ middle blocker who averaged 10 kills and five blocks per match in 2009. “We all worked hard, we all played good, and it was just icing on the cake for our senior year.”

The Lady Tigers were knocked out of the 5A state tournament by Booker T. Washington, but Nelson knows that appearance set a new standard for Tahlequah volleyball.

“No one even expected us to go there,” Nelson said talking about the state tournament.

After Nelson competes in Tuesday night’s match, she’ll be off to Ada. The East Central volleyball team will begin preseason preparations on Aug. 9.

“I’m so excited,” Nelson said on her upcoming college endeavor. “I wish I could go right now.”

At the top of Nelson’s checklist at East Central is one thing – earning a spot in the starting rotation.

“I’d like to start,” said Nelson, who will be joining an ECU team that returns two middle blockers from 2009’s squad. “It’ll be tough competition, but I’m going to work really hard to try and get a starting position.”

While she’s looking forward to college athletics, Nelson, who plans on majoring in legal studies, mentioned she’ll miss her high school teammates.

“During the volleyball season, the team was like a family,” said Nelson, who will be joined on the Small East team by Bishop Kelley’s Erin Robertson and Courtney Cleaves, Tyler Cockrell (Booker T. Washington), Kate Brandon (Cascia Hall), Lauren Rogers (Catoosa), Katherine Barton (Lincoln Christian), Virginia Judge (McAlester), Hailee Davis (Verdigris) and Sarah Klein (Victory Christian). “I’ll miss all the inside jokes that we had, and I’ll miss hanging out with my friends all the time.”

All-State volleyball

When: Tonight.

Where: Broken Arrow High School.

Time: 6 (small) and 7:30 (large).

Teams:

Small East: Sarah Nelson (Tahlequah), Erin Robertson and Courtney Cleaves (Bishop Kelley), Tyler Cockrell (BTW), Kate Brandon (Cascia Hall), Lauren Rogers (Catoosa), Katherine Barton (Lincoln Christian), Virgina Judge (McAlester), Hailee Davis (Verdigris), Sarah Klein (Victory Christian).

Small West: Sallie McLaurin and Ashley Acklin (Carl Albert), Victoria Kappel (OKC Southeast), Katie Harris (Bishop McGuinness), Lauren Winham (Cache), Rachael walker (Oklahoma Bible Academy), Abbey McNeill (Christian Heritage), Alyssa Wilson and Caitlin Rohter (Clinton), Brooke Bogert (Heritage Hall).

Large East: Caitlin Whitley (Bixby), Julie Werner (Broken Arrow), Sarah Groesbeck and Danielle Gilchrist (Jenks), Alex Goodnight (Shawnee), Anna Gentry (Stillwater), Jessica Powers and Laura Taylor (Union).

Large West: Jaira Wilsey (Edmond Memorial), Torrie Flynn and Alli Hammer (Edmond North), Tate Hardaker and Mindy Gowen (Edmond Santa Fe), Danielle Brown (Putnam City), Autumn Thomas (PC North), Lacy Hansen (Westmoore).

Text Only