Pass… Set… Kill!: Jenks Volleyball is Taking Down Their Competition

By: Grant Jordison

The Jenks Volleyball teams are jumping into their 2023-2024 season! On and off the court, the athletes have been putting in the work to improve their skills and get ready to fight for their states titles.

As the season goes on, the Jenks Lady Trojan teams are scouting out their competition. Last year they were the runner up at state, and with ten seniors on varsity this year, they want to end the season with medals around their necks. Edmond Memorial, the team that took state last year, are on the horizon, but any team could take that title this year.

“I never look past any team, ever. Even if they aren't in the top three seeds,” said Tanna Smith.

Smith has been a part of the girls volleyball program for 11 years now. As of now, she is the head coach of the Jenks Girls Volleyball Program. She coaches varsity along with some of the program’s middle school teams.

With ten seniors on varsity, there are going to be lots of holes to fill for the Lady Trojans next year. The coaches for the JV, Freshman, and Middle School teams are working hard in an attempt to get the Lady Trojans ready to fill those spots. And when it comes to filling those ten spots next year, that is going to bring ten holes on JV, Freshman, or whatever team is ready to move their players up. Be on the lookout for the rising players continuing the seniors legacy’s next year!

With all of the past teams the Lady Trojans have gone against, there is a new team that has joined the 6A volleyball scene. Mount Saint Mary just recently won two back to back state titles in the 5A division, and have joined the Trojans in the world of 6A volleyball. The Lady Trojans love competition and are excited to play any team that comes their way this season.

The Boys and Girls volleyball teams are going to stay on their toes and face all of the challenges that come their way this season. No team is left out, no one team is gone from sight. Jenks is going to focus on all of the competition no matter their past or reputation.

While the Jenks Girls Volleyball team is dominating, the Jenks Boys Volleyball team has become somewhat of a hidden gem for Jenks High School. Jenks Boys Volleyball is currently in the third year of their program. With the rise of boys volleyball all over the nation, Jenks started their boys program back up, and their numbers have tripled since the start of the program.

In an attempt to line up the boys season with other states that have had boys volleyball for a lot longer than Oklahoma, they are going to transfer from having a fall season to having a spring season. As of now, the program is currently in their fall season and will finish it out, and when spring rolls around, they will partake in a second season. As for the 2024-2025 season, the program plans on only having a spring season to allow for more competition with other schools in the local region.

Jenks Boys Volleyball has put in work on and off the court to rebuild their program. They want more recognition, and are in the process of boosting their game day experience.

“Being one of the only indoor sports at Jenks that will be having their season in the Spring, we are striving to provide a memorable experience every home match,” said Jenks Boys Volleyball head coach, Andy Poplin.

Poplin, known as Coach Andy, was the one who revived the program after it was disbanded. Coach Andy, the athletes, the programs coaches, and the Boy’s booster club have put in a lot of their time and effort to get the program to where it is today. Coach Andy believes every boy, no matter what team they are on, contributes to the success of the program.

“We have 60 guys in our program this year. It takes every one of them to make this program what it is. We are growing and branding ourselves, every single guy has such a valuable role to play as a part of this program,” said Poplin.

The boys and girls teams will be continuing their seasons in the next few months following school ball and transitioning into club ball. Because of this, they would love for people to come out and support them on game day!

“The crowd is like the seventh person on the court, “ said Coach Smith, “The girls love the fans and the energy they bring to the games.”

As the teams fight to win their games, the energy and motivation from the crowd can be a game changer.

For more information you can follow both Volleyball teams accounts on Instagram.