VOLLEYBALL: STILLWATER ENDS SANDITES' SEASON IN REGIONAL FINALS

STILLWATER-- Sand Springs peaked at the right time, but they ran into a buzz saw named Stillwater, ending their season in the regional finals. Class 6A No. 12 Sand Springs lost to No. 5 Stillwater, 3-0, in the east regional, Tuesday, Oct. 10 at Stillwater Pioneers Gym. In the regional finals, Sand Springs had to face fifth-ranked Stillwater, and the Lady Pioneers lived up to their top five ranking. Sand Springs (16-17) lost in straight sets, 25-18, 25-22 and 25-19, but they didn’t make it easy for the Lady Pioneers, losing the second set by only three points. The two teams played three times this season and Stillwater won all three. The Lady Pioneers beat Sand Springs, 3-1, in the Union Tournament, and they won, 3-0, in the Stillwater Tournament. The Sandite volleyball team had been up and down all season, but they found their groove after a loss to Broken Arrow Sept. 28. They beat Muskogee, Sapulpa and Ponca City to close out the regular season, setting up a rematch with Ponca City in the east regional. To start the regional, Sand Springs jumped out early and outside hitter Gloria Mutiri’s kills were nearly impossible to return. Madison Ward and Cloe Campfield served well, and, at one point, the Sandites held a 10-3 lead. They won the first set, 25-13. The Lady Wildcats made it a bit tougher in the second set but lost, 25-18. Tied 14-14 in the third set, Sand Springs went on a 9-4 run to eliminate Ponca City, 3-0. Sand Springs beat Ponca City twice this season, and the Sandites had several big wins earlier in the year. They beat Edmond Memorial and Owasso, and Class 5A No. 7 Coweta and No. 10 Claremore. Sand Springs graduates nine seniors, and the team did not have any juniors. Sophomores Cloe Campfield, Madison Burris, Devree Youngblood, Vanesa Wyrick and Raylynn Mong picked up valuable playing experience this year.