Tigers improve to 5-2 with win over Ponca City, match last season’s win total

First-year Norman High head volleyball coach Courtney Traylor said objective No. 1 in taking over for the Tigers was getting to know her players.

“The first thing coming in that I wanted to make sure I did was building relationships, just making sure that all the kids know that I love them and that I really love that they play for me,” Traylor said. “Making the relationships was the first part of the battle and then just working them hard every day in practice.”

So far, the results are paying off. The Tigers have already matched last season’s win total after improving to 5-2 with a straight-sets victory over Ponca City (25-17, 25-16, 25-14).

“I liked our consistency. We’re getting more and more consistent every time we play, making less errors and being more cohesive as a unit. The girls are working really hard in practice and they’re giving their all in games,” Traylor said. “They love the sport, so they’re going to play hard for whoever’s out there. It’s a real testament to their faith in me and their faith in each other.”

Building continuity is next on the agenda for NHS.

“I think we just need to gel more. Some of these girls have never played together before or they played in different positions, so just learning to be more of a cohesive unit and work together,” Traylor said.

The Tigers return to action when they host defending Class 6A state champion Edmond Santa Fe at 6 p.m. tomorrow night.