VOLLEYBALL: Sophomore surge has Sequoyah believing bigger things await this season

SEQUOYAH — Last season's growing pains may become this season's biggest strength.

>After relying heavily on freshmen during a 12-win campaign in 2025, Sequoyah returns nearly its entire roster with another year of experience, and the Lady Eagles believe that could make all the difference.

>Sequoyah enters the volleyball season with high expectations after finishing 12-15 a year ago. Although the Lady Eagles dropped 10 of their final 13 matches, coach Zoe Kersey said she believes the experience gained by one of the area's youngest teams has positioned the program for a breakout campaign.

>“We're obviously going to be young again, but I think we've got some serious potential,” Kersey said. “A lot of the girls coming from being freshmen up to sophomores now have put in a lot of work outside of our gym. They've gone to the rec and done club. They've put in a lot of hours and really, really improved.”

>The improvement hasn't been limited to natural development.

>Kersey said many of her underclassmen spent the offseason putting in extra work outside the gym, while accountability has become a defining characteristic of the program.

>That accountability extends beyond players holding one another responsible.

>She noted there have even been moments during practice when players have reminded the coaching staff to stay on task, creating an environment where everyone is invested in the team's success.

>“Focus has kind of been an issue with us in the past, but I think we've been holding each other accountable a lot more,” Kersey said. “Coaches to kids, kids coaches, kid to kid, so I'd say accountability has been huge. Keeping everybody locked in, everybody focused. I lose focus just like a kid does. I mean, it happens. They gotta help us out and keep us accountable.”

>The Lady Eagles will once again lean on an experienced core led by Claremore Progress All-County Most Valuable Player Emmyn Gibson, who led all of Rogers County in kills [418] and kill attempts [1,218] with a .200 hitting percentage and .343 kill rate in addition to recording 334 digs, 47 aces and 1.83 serve-receive rating.

>Kersey hopes Gibson's leadership will allow the younger players around her to flourish.

>“Emmyn shouldered a lot of what we did last year with a very, very young team, even herself being only a sophomore,” Kersey said. “But I think Emmyn’s not going to have to shoulder that burden quite as much this year. I'm hoping she'll take more of a leadership role in kind of helping all of her teammates out. Of course, she's Emmyn Gibson — she's gonna do what she's gonna do. But I think she's going to be able to pull back a little bit and let those underclassmen shine a bit more.”

>Joining Gibson are All-County first-team selection Hailey Budgick, sophomore All-County first-teamer Alice Michaels, sophomore Bella Brown, sophomore Avery Conger and sophomore Haydon Charles, giving Sequoyah one of the deeper returning groups in Rogers County. Senior duo Lexi Dunfee and Greidys Morales are also expected to make an impact.

>Budgick logged 328 digs, a team-high 1.91 SR rating and 20 aces in addition to 36 digs in a regional match after moving to libero. Offensively efficient, she added 100 kills [.387 hitting percentage / .578 kill rate] and ranks second in career aces.

>As a freshman, Michaels recorded 611 assists, setting a school single-season record, while adding 295 digs and 47 aces. Her quick reactions, awareness and composure stood out well beyond her age.

>The Lady Eagles are also experimenting with a few new wrinkles.

>One of the biggest changes could be the implementation of a two-libero system, while freshman Emerson Walke is pushing for playing time at middle. Standing nearly 6 feet tall, Walke is the tallest player on the roster, and Kersey said she believes her coordination gives her the opportunity to make an immediate impact.

>“She’s a talented kiddo,” Kersey said of Walke. “I’m pretty sure she’s our tallest player. She’s not blowing holes through the ceiling, but I think she’s pushing 6 feet.”

>That flexibility comes as the Lady Eagles continue refining offensive and defensive systems during preseason workouts.

>Sequoyah has already gained valuable experience through summer team camps, including the Licking Summer Camp in Branson, Missouri, where the Lady Eagles played two days of live matches against a variety of opponents before competing in a single-elimination tournament.

>“We learned a lot,” Kersey said. “That was a new experience for our kids. They absolutely loved the experience. It's been a very productive summer … They came in ready to go, and they've been very dedicated. We've broken down a lot of things. We've had a lot more time to just hone in on little things, and it's been really good for them.”

>Now the focus shifts to the regular season.

>The Lady Eagles will once again navigate a challenging Class 3A schedule that includes private-school powers such as Rejoice Christian and Holland Hall, while an early-season matchup with Inola has become one of the team's biggest measuring-stick contests.

>“We're branching out a little bit more,” Kersey said. “We're trying to push ourselves, get a little bit more competitive. Our conference is always a really good one. I have yet to beat Inola. I'm really hoping that happens this year, and that's early. But like I said, we're branching out a little bit. We're playing a little bit more private-school teams.”

>Sequoyah also recently added another home match to its schedule after what Kersey described as a scheduling miscommunication was corrected.

>Before the regular season begins, fans will get an early look at the program during Meet the Eagles on Thursday, Aug. 6.

>The event will feature introductions of every team in the program, scrimmages involving the seventh grade through varsity squads and a varsity-versus-alumni exhibition.

>For a team that returns nearly everyone from last year's roster, the excitement is evident.

>“They're doing a really good job putting work in, and I'm eager to see how it all plays out,” Kersey said. “We have yet to see what I believe will be our starting rotation. We went to team camp and didn't get to see it. We didn't get to see it at all during our summer league. We're gonna try it at practice and see how it goes.”