Wrapping up the season with Owasso Volleyball
By Olivia Kerber
After a hard-fought five sets, Owasso Volleyball wrapped up their season during their regional tournament with a loss to Edmond North Volleyball. Despite the loss, these Lady Rams still have so much to be proud of and even more to look forward to. This team had a vibrant energy; there was no singular “hype man” on the team—everybody was a hype man for their teammates.
Misha Osten, a senior at Owasso High School, played for the Lady Rams for all four years of high school. Every season, Osten got to know her teammates even better and loved them even more.
“This team was great, [and] volleyball was great in the aspect of team building. [We] constantly had a positive energy,” states Osten. “I loved every single girl on our team. It was just very nice to come to that sport every single day and [feel welcomed]. I felt I belonged there [with] my peers.”
Photo of Brooklyn Rhodes taken by Brett Farrell
However, Osten is still sorrowful about this season’s sudden end. The loss at the end of their season was an upset, and all of the girls were hoping to go to the state championship.
“It was really sad because this was our last season and it didn't necessarily end how we wanted it to. [We lost] because people got hurt,” Osten expressed.
Despite this, Osten reflects on how Owasso Volleyball changed her for the better.
“I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It really helped me grow as a person, … [and] it was a great way to learn how to count on people and build on each other.”
Photo of Brooklyn Rhodes taken by Brett Farrell
Osten is planning on going to the University of Arkansas to study engineering, and she has been preparing for the hard work of a STEM field through the hard work of volleyball.
Brooklyn Rhodes, another senior who played volleyball all four years of high school, feels similarly to Osten. The highlight of Rhodes’ season was the other optimistic women on her team, all of whom constantly supported each other.
“I have the best teammates, [and] it was great to have a good group of girls surrounding me the whole season that were so positive,” Rhodes affirmed. “Everybody got along, everyone encouraged each other, and that's what made me so excited to go to practice each day.”
Similarly to Osten, Rhodes felt sorrowful about the end to her volleyball career.
Rhodes conveyed her emotion about the situation, stating, “I'm really glad I got to end my volleyball career with this group of girls … just because I feel like there was such a great team dynamic. Of course it didn't end like I wanted it to, and it [made me sad] because some girls [also] got injured.”
Rhodes just had one more thing to add.
“I'm gonna miss playing volleyball forever.”