Edmond Memorial bags another crown
Edmond Memorial bags another crown

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By Brandon Chatmon

Published: October 14, 2007

SAPULPA — Sam Ball and Karisa Almgren jumped into the air in celebration.

State champions, once again.

After helping Edmond Memorial win a state championship as sophomores, Ball and Almgren were key players as the Lady Bulldogs defeated Edmond Santa Fe 25-21, 20-25, 25-19 and 28-26 to win the Class 6A state championship Saturday night at Sapulpa High School.

"I'm at a loss for words,” Ball said. "Nothing can top it. It was awesome.”

Said Almgren: "You can't get any better, especially going out as a senior with a bang. But sophomore year was pretty special, too.”

After trailing 15-7, it was a furious rally in the final game that earned the Bulldogs their second title in three years.

"We were down but we took it one point at a time,” Ball said. "We never thought about being state champs, we thought about playing for the next point. It shows what kind of heart (we have).”

Edmond Memorial rallied to tie the game at 23 and pulled the game out with a 28-26 victory to clinch the title.

"What will win you games is defense and serving,” Almgren said. "And we picked that up today.”

The Bulldogs overwhelmed Edmond Santa Fe with their talented hitters and overall depth.

Tournament MVP Kelsey Hancock, her sister Micha Hancock and Sarah Horn joined Almgren on the receiving ends of Ball's superb sets, and Edmond Santa Fe did not have an answer for Memorial's attacking offense.

Ball was the leader and most overlooked contributor throughout the tournament as her sets and poise helped Edmond Memorial maintain its focus.

"She's a great player,” Almgren said of Ball. "She's got amazing hands and she's a great teammate.”