Oklahoma high school volleyball: Community Christian defends Class 3A title, Victory Christian tops in 4A

SHAWNEE — Community Christian’s volleyball players understood they needed to compete at a high level against Tulsa Cascia Hall in the Class 3A state championship. 

Community Christian, the defending champion, had been in this type of situation before and knew what it took to win on the big stage. 

When the match ensued, the Royals went on to prove they’re still the best in 3A. 

Community Christian defeated Tulsa Cascia Hall, 3-0, Saturday night at Shawnee High School for its second straight state title and fourth since 2015. 

The Royals have a first-year head coach in Christina Maynes, and her debut season couldn’t have gone much smoother. They finished 37-3 and went undefeated against 3A competition. 

“The biggest thing for us was playing our game,” Maynes said. “When they come out and everything is kind of clicking, it’s exactly where they like to be. They like to play relaxed. I think that all came together for them today.” 

Star sophomore Landry Braziel was the Royals’ main weapon, but the team also had a slew of other players rise to the occasion. 

“Channing Apel found a way to swing around that block,” Maynes said. “That was a pretty big block against her she’s not used to. She found the corners. Caroline Bell does not get kills like she did today, and she came up in big clutch sets where other hitters were not getting kills when they needed to, and she came through and got the kill."  

Community Christian dominated the first two sets, winning the first 25-20 and the second 25-18. 

Tulsa Cascia Hall (31-6) ramped up the intensity in the third, but Braziel had some clutch kills down the stretch and Community Christian went on to edge the Commandos 27-25. 

Braziel has been outstanding in her first two years of high school and will look to build from that in the last half of her time with the program. 

“Last year, we were really nervous about it and didn’t know what to expect,” Braziel said. “But this year, we knew what to expect. We’re a lot more comfortable.” 

Community Christian didn’t lose a set during regionals and the state tournament. 

The Royals defeated Snyder and Cement at regionals before beating Chisholm in the state quarterfinals Friday and Oklahoma Union in Saturday’s semifinals. 

Braziel said the Royals’ chemistry was the main key to their success. 

“We mesh really good together,” Braziel said. “We know where somebody’s going to be on the court.” 

Class 4A

Tulsa Victory Christian 3, Tulsa Regent Prep 2: Tulsa Victory Christian claimed a state title for the fifth consecutive year, but Tulsa Regent Prep put up an admirable fight. 

The teams traded victories in the first four sets before Tulsa Victory Christian won the fifth for the 4A state championship Saturday night at Shawnee High School. 

Tulsa Regent Prep (41-8) had its chances. But Tulsa Victory Christian (35-3), last year’s 5A champion, overcame deficits when it needed it and did enough to keep its title streak alive. 

For Tulsa Victory Christian’s seniors like captain Bella Wakley, becoming four-time state champions has put them in a rare class. 

“For me to do that, it’s almost life changing for me just being able to be a part of this,” said Wakley, one of the team’s main stars Saturday. “Not very many people get to do this.” 

Tulsa Victory Christian won the first set 25-23, but Tulsa Regent Prep answered, a common theme throughout the night. 

The teams went back and forth, but Tulsa Victory Christian sealed the title with an 18-16 victory in the fifth set. 

“They were feeling the pressure,” Tulsa Victory Christian coach Dan Donohue said of his players. “In the second set, I think they realized the pressure.”

Reporter Nick Sardis covers high school sports across the Oklahoma City metro and state. Have a story idea for Nick? He can be reached at nsardis@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @nick_sardis. Support Nick’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at oklahoman.com/subscribe or by using the link at the top of this page.