What’s better than winning a state championship? Well, defending it, for starters. 

That’s what’s been tasked of Santa Fe’s seven returning senior volleyballers. Last season, as juniors, they finished on top. But, wouldn’t it be even sweeter to do it your final year, too? The Lady Wolves are ready to do just that, too, spouting a brutal, experienced roster — a who’s who of standout area names, with a handful winning lofty, post-season honors after their state championship 2017. 

Head Coach Will Ethridge is ecstatic about his returning athletes, stating that his seniors are at the helm of a well-balanced roster.

“(We’re) a well-rounded, very athletic team,” Ethridge said. “We really are pretty solid at every aspect of the game. Great attackers, strong floor defense, and (we’re) very experienced setters.”

Anastassiya Barakhoyeva handled a share of last season’s setting duties, and, if Ethridge’s reports hold true, Barakhoyeva’s improved assisting should have 6A teams fearful. Already good at the role in 2017, she excelled in enabling arguably the state’s best hitter in All-Edmond Most Valuable Player Kaeli Robinson, who — oh yeah, by the way — is also returning for her swan song senior season. 

Robinson won’t be Barakhoyeva’s only offensive weapon, though. Ryli Mill-Thomas showed promise in Sapulpa’s state tourney last season, too, and she and Robinson will be allowed to swing loose on the outside, especially when anchored by Nalani McCrary’s front-interior defensive skills. 

And, as if the return experience for Santa Fe wasn’t enough, they’ll also be getting another, final year from Lauren McCarty, Nicole Snider and State Tournament Most Valuable Player Rylen Moore. 

Last year’s state title, along with Ethridge’s laundry list of returning, impactful athletes, has everyone else circling their fall matchups with the Lady Wolves. And Ethridge knows it. 

“The biggest struggle will just be the targets on our back,” he stated. “It’s hard to play in that situation. (Our) leaders will need to make sure everyone works hard to improve every day.”

Santa Fe will surely find themselves as the hunted more often than not this fall, but Ethridge says three tournaments this split are highlighted on his calendar. 

“For sure regionals and state,” Ethridge explained. “The Heather Harkness Tournament at Santa Fe is always circled.”

All three of those tourneys seem obvious, and Santa Fe had them circled last season, too, when the Wolves won the first two, but fell in a brutal, five-set match in the Harkness championship against rival Deer Creek. 

It was the Wolves only tourney drop, and their only loss in three-pairings to the then-number-one Lady Antlers, but losing their home tournament seemed, in part, to spur Santa Fe to their championship claim, and the outcome will undoubtedly serve as motivation for 2018’s tournament this September. 

Despite the circles, and storylines, and roster, the skipper has already deemed the upcoming season a success, knowing that, with the athleticism on his squad, just about anything is possible. 

“Nothing,” Ethridge said when asked about what has to be accomplished for a successful season. “With this group of girls it will be a success no matter what.”

Santa Fe will begin their season on August 7 against Westmoore. Their first home contest will come two weeks later, on August 21 against Stillwater.
