Owasso dropped the opening set, then stormed back to beat Union in four and claim the Class 6A volleyball regional championship.
The eighth-ranked Rams won 20-25, 25-23, 25-12 and 25-21 over No. 9 Union on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Owasso High School, as reported by the Tulsa World.
The rally started in the second set.
Owasso coach Meghann Kannett told the Tulsa World that her team began playing cleaner defense in the second set, and that shift lit a spark. She said it gave the Rams the momentum and edge they needed to take control of the match.
It was the second meeting between the rivals in a week. Owasso had edged Union in a five-set match the week before, also at Owasso.
Both teams reached the regional final through earlier wins. Owasso swept Muskogee in the semifinals, while Union defeated Bartlesville to set up the championship rematch.
Seniors Madi Hill and Cydney Hilliard led the offense. Hill, a basketball standout as well, recently reached 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs. Kannett said Hill's big plays lift the entire roster and that Hill has the ability to elevate the level of play around her.
Senior Ava Cathcart anchored the defense. Freshman Lillian Reimer turned in a standout performance in her first regional final.
Owasso enters the state tournament at 31-6 with a six-match winning streak. The Rams have won 15 of their last 16 matches.
Two other Tulsa-area programs also punched their tickets Tuesday. No. 1 Jenks and No. 6 Broken Arrow both advanced as regional hosts, joining Owasso in the eight-team bracket. Edmond Memorial, Edmond North, Edmond Santa Fe, Norman and Piedmont round out the field.
The Class 6A state tournament runs Oct. 22-24. Quarterfinals will be played at Midwest City Carl Albert, with the semifinals and final at Noble.
