State ranking long overdue

Well, it’s about time.

We’re all fully aware of the accolades bestowed on The Woodlands High School volleyball team. At 30-0, the Lady Highlanders have earned their No. 1 state and No. 2 national ranking. If there’s a better setter in the state than Courtney Eckenrode, I’d pay money to see it.

And at times, the College Park High School volleyball team has shown signs of being one of the best around. Ranked No. 27 in the state, the Lady Cavaliers are 17-9 overall and 3-2 in District 14-5A play with seniors Andi Platt and Alyssa McNeely leading a very young squad.

But finally….finally, the Oak Ridge High School volleyball team is getting a little respect. At 24-6 on the season, including a 4-1 district mark – second only to The Woodlands – the Lady War Eagles cracked the state rankings for the first time. Oak Ridge entered this week’s play at No. 24.

Coach Tommie Sledge has her young team playing at a high level. The Lady War Eagles recently knocked off state-ranked district foe A&M Consolidated, 3-1, at the Eagles Nest.

With just four seniors on the varsity roster, the Lady War Eagles are playing like veterans. Junior Victoria Harris, a University of Cincinnati verbal commit, leads the way at the net. Seniors Whitney Wofford (UT-Permian Basin), Brooke Lembrich and Kylie Laird are also among the leaders along with juniors Morgan McCoy, Jackie Ward and Nikki Testerman. Even freshmen Brooke Clark and Raigen Cianciulli are making key contributions as well.

The development of this team has truly been a team effort.

How far has Oak Ridge progressed from the season’s outset? We’ll find out Friday when they host The Woodlands at 5 p.m.