Expect 'very high level of volleyball' as 25-0 Community Christian meets Mount St. Mary

Community Christian’s volleyball team has competed in three tournaments this season.

And the Royals have a trio of first-place trophies to show for it.

Afer winning the Norman Tournament and a home tournament, Community Christian kept the streak alive, taking the Catoosa Port City Classic crown during the past weekend. The Class 4A top-ranked Royals are 25-0, but they’re about to encounter their toughest test.

Community Christian plays at Mount St. Mary (24-3), the small but mighty Class 6A powerhouse, at 6 p.m. Thursday.

“(I expect) a lot of energy,” said Community Christian coach Christina Maynes. “A packed gym. Lots of rivalry, because these girls are teammates of each other in the offseason club.

“It’s gonna be a very, very high level of volleyball, and if there’s any indication – knowing Mount St. Mary in the past – they know how to win. They know how to pull out games, and I hope I can say the same for us.”

Maynes said the Royals’ dominant start has been a group effort, and two individuals hit recent milestones. Senior UTEP commit Landry Braziel surpassed 1,500 career kills soon before the Port City Classic, and senior setter Stella Gorton eclipsed 2,000 career assists at the tournament.

At Mount St. Mary, junior setter Livia Ward also recently celebrated her 2,000th career assist.

More: 'New girl' Emma Converse gives Deer Creek volleyball a boost in Class 6A race

Norman North volleyball bounces back from Bishop Kelley Tournament

Ryan Leland wouldn’t let herself miss the final Crosstown Clash of her high school volleyball career.

The Norman North senior setter couldn’t play during most of the past weekend’s Bishop Kelley Tournament because she “tweaked her ankle a little bit,” said first-year head coach Nikki Clay.

But after a weekend of rehabilitation, Leland returned to the court to face school-district-rival Norman. Buoyed by Leland’s comeback, Norman North defeated the Tigers in straight sets Monday and swept Edmond Santa Fe on Tuesday.

“Everyone kind of rallied around her,” Clay said. “My senior leaders really stepped up, and the energy was great.”

The Timberwolves bounced back from a tough Bishop Kelley Tournament, where they beat Bixby but took losses to Stillwater, Mount St. Mary, Jenks, Fayetteville (Arkansas) and the host school. With two straight wins this week, Norman North has improved to 11-11.

Although standout setter Katie Kolar has graduated, the Timberwolves are relying on new senior leadership. Along with Leland, middle blocker Parker Gladhill, libero Jalee Alonzo and outside hitter Sage Donahoo provide different strengths.

Next, the Timberwolves head to Stillwater, where they face the Pioneers again before competing in the Stillwater Tournament.

More: Why Tuttle softball coach is 'highly confident' Lady Tigers are poised for 4A title run

Preston Albee commits to OU men’s golf 

Preston Albee has chosen to stay close to home for college.

The Choctaw junior announced his commitment to OU’s men’s golf program Tuesday evening.

Albee, who made The Oklahoman’s All-City second team as a sophomore, is 62nd in the American Junior Golf Association’s national rankings and second in its Oklahoma rankings. He claimed his first AJGA tournament win in August.

More: Tuttle at Guthrie tops list of Oklahoma high school football games for Week 3

Dylan Warlick commits to Wyoming men’s basketball

Dylan Warlick plans to leave the state for college, but his new rally cry is familiar to most Oklahomans: “Go Pokes.”

The Edmond North senior forward committed to Wyoming on Saturday, choosing the Cowboys over teams that included Davidson, San Jose State and South Alabama. A visit to Wyoming early this month won him over.

“I really liked the coaches, really liked the players,” Warlick said. “I liked how they did everything. They were realistic about the visit. They showed how it’s going to be every single day there, how you are as a player. Really, I just enjoyed being there. I could see myself there.”

Warlick, a two-time selection for The Oklahoman’s Super 5 Boys Basketball team, has played a vital role in the Class 6A Huskies’ back-to-back state championship runs. The 6-foot-5 forward averaged 15.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game as a junior.

More: 'Bermuda Triangle' has top-ranked Bishop McGuinness volleyball dreaming of 5A state title

Extra points

● Tulsa NOAH edge rusher Danny Okoye has narrowed his top three college football programs to OU, Tennessee and Texas. Ranked No. 1 in The Oklahoman’s Super 30 series of top senior recruits, Okoye has set his commitment date for Wednesday.

● Westmoore senior Shmyriana Scott committed to the University of Central Oklahoma’s softball program on Tuesday.

● Western Heights junior quarterback Allen Thompson has received a Division I football offer from the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

● Oklahoma schools and nonprofits received baseball and softball grants from The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation and Globe Life on Saturday. These grants went to Blair Public Schools, Glencoe Public Schools and Shawnee Family YMCA, along with nonprofits in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas, totaling $125,000.

Hallie Hart covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Hallie? She can be reached at hhart@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @halliehart. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Hallie's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Undefeated Community Christian volleyball team to meet Mount St. Mary