VOLLEYBALL: Senior-heavy Verdigris looking to finish the job in 2026
· Yahoo Sports
Verdigris spent last season knocking on the door of the state tournament.
With eight seniors back to help lead the way, the Lady Cardinals believe this could be the year they kick it down and return to that stage for the first time since 2022.
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Verdigris enters the 2026 volleyball season with an experienced roster and plenty of motivation after coming up just short of a trip to Class 3A state last fall, losing a five-set classic to Chouteau-Mazie in the regional championship.
Coach Caleb Horton said he believes that experience gives the Lady Cardinals a foundation reminiscent of some of his better teams, even if there is still work to be done before the season gets underway.
“They're pretty solid, and they're a lot of fun to watch,” Horton said. “But we still have struggles and are kind of streaky. But it'll be nice to get the season started and see how they handle it.”
What Verdigris may lack in preparation time, it makes up for in varsity experience.
Eight seniors headline the roster, including Addi McMahan, Andie Boyd, Emerson Wawrzonek, Kaydence O'Brien, ShiAnne Sanchez, Jylian Pagan, Mia Guerrero and Julia Timms.
McMahan figures to be one of the Lady Cardinals' primary offensive weapons with her ability as a hitter, while Boyd provides consistency at setter. Wawrzonek, a transfer from Owasso, adds another experienced piece, and O'Brien gives Verdigris another steady senior presence.
Although the group can occasionally be streaky, its understanding of the game stands out.
“Experience wise, I've got a few smart players,” Horton said. “They understand the game really well. I've got some that are still learning, but they work hard, and I think as long as they have a good mindset, we'll be pretty good this season.”
That volleyball IQ could prove especially valuable in a Class 4A landscape that offers little room for error.
Six private schools reside in the Lady Cardinals' classification, creating another difficult road toward the state tournament. After getting close last season in 3A, navigating that field will be one of the team's biggest challenges.
“Getting to the state tournament is going to be a little difficult, even though they did some moving around of the classes,” Horton said. “We've still got quite a few privates in there, and we'll try to claim one of those spots that are open.”
Verdigris, however, may be better equipped to handle adversity this time around.
Depth was an issue when injuries struck last season, but Horton said he believes the Lady Cardinals have more options throughout the roster this year.
That has allowed the coaching staff to experiment with different lineups while also giving younger players opportunities to establish themselves.
Charlie Watson, Sophi Nick, Jolie White, Trista Maxey and Tynleigh Jackson-Davis are among the younger players Horton is excited to see develop around the veteran core.
Having those options could help Verdigris avoid overworking its primary rotation and provide insurance if injuries arise.
“If we can stay away from injury, we'll be pretty good,” Horton said. “Last year, we had no depth. We were really strong, but any couple of injuries were really hurtful. This year, that's not the issue. Last year, that got us a couple of times. You play with what you got, and we knew that. But this year, it's nice to have a little bit of freedom to experiment and pull people up, give them a chance.”
The early returns have been encouraging.
The Lady Cardinals recently hosted a 10-team scrimmage and came away with only one loss, which came against North Rock Creek. The performance offered Horton an opportunity to evaluate different combinations before the results begin counting.
Several early matches should provide further measuring sticks.
Among the games Horton has circled is a rematch with Oologah after the Lady Mustangs defeated Verdigris last season. Verdigris will also have tournament competition to test its depth and consistency.
There is a change to the conference schedule as well, with the Lady Cardinals' matchup against rival Inola moving to the middle of the season.
That contest will also serve as the Lady Cardinals' senior night, putting an added spotlight on a class that will play a significant role in determining how far Verdigris goes.
For Horton, the ingredients are there: eight seniors, improved depth, promising young players and the experience of coming painfully close a year ago.
Now comes the part that matters most: turning that potential into the state-tournament appearance Verdigris narrowly missed last season.
“It’ll be nice to get started,” Horton said. “We’re tired of scrimmaging each other and practicing.”