DEWEY LADY BULLDOGGERS CLAIM WCS VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT TITLE; HOST MUSTANGS FINISH SECOND
The Dewey Lady Bulldogger volleyball team won the Wesleyan Christian School tournament last week in Bartlesville. WCS took second place.
Photo courtesy of Craig’s Photography
Dewey Lady Bulldogger Rylan White (11) goes to the net during the Wesleyan Christian School volleyball tournament in Bartlesville last week. Dewey took first place, while the host Lady Mustangs took second place.
Photo courtesy of Craig’s Photography
By Becky Burch
Sept. 17, 2026
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
A perfect run through the Wesleyan Christian School tournament last week, capped by a thrilling home victory on Tuesday, propelled the Dewey volleyball team into the final stretch of its season with championship momentum.
The Lady Bulldoggers swept through the tournament field with a 5-0 record, capturing the tournament crown over the runner-up host WCS Lady Mustangs.
The second-place finish moved the Lady Mustangs, led by coach Mariah Cooks, to 10-10 on the year.
Dewey followed up the tournament sweep by defeating Berryhill 3-2 on Tuesday in Dewey, pushing its overall record to 18-5 on the year and lifting the squad to No. 10 in the state rankings.
The recent success represents a major step forward for a program navigating a transition period following a historic season last year.
"Winning the Wesleyan tournament was a really special moment for our team," Dewey coach Hayley Harris said. "Obviously, bringing home a championship is exciting, but I think what I was most proud of was how we came together throughout the weekend. The girls are genuinely supportive of one another, they celebrate each other’s successes, and our team culture is in a really good place. As a coach, that means just as much to me as the wins."
The early part of the season required some adjustments as players stepped into new positions to establish a new squad identity.
"Last year was such a special and historic season for Dewey volleyball, and we’re incredibly proud of what that team accomplished," Harris said. "This year, we’re trying to take the lessons and experiences from last season while also allowing this team to grow into its own. I think we had a little bit of a rough start as we adjusted to new roles and figured out what worked best for us, but I really feel like we found our groove last week."
A veteran core has helped anchor that transition. Seniors Kaylee Cole, Isabela Villanueva, Olivia Croucher, and Callie Posch, along with sophomores Rylan White and Marcella Willard, have provided necessary experience and stability on the floor.
Villanueva serves as head captain alongside Cole as co-captain.
"They do a great job of pouring into our underclassmen and making sure the younger girls feel supported and included," Harris said. "Both girls understand that being a captain is about much more than what happens during a match. They help keep the team focused, encourage their teammates when things aren’t going our way, and hold the girls accountable to our expectations."
The championship weekend also served as a backdrop for a pair of career milestones. Cole reached 1,000 career assists during the tournament, while Croucher eclipsed 200 career aces. Both Cole and Willard earned all-tournament honors for their performances over the five-match tournament stretch.
_____
Dewey Lady Bulldoggers volleyball players Olivia Croucher, left, and Kaylee Cole celebrate achieving career milestones during the Wesleyan Christian School tournament. Croucher recorded her 200th career ace, while Cole reached 1,000 career assists.
Photo courtesy of Craig’s Photography
_____
"Those are incredible milestones, and I’m extremely proud of both of them," Harris said. "They have poured so much time, leadership, consistency, and heart into this program throughout their high school careers, and it was special to watch them reach those milestones during a championship weekend."
Complementing the veteran core, juniors Bailey Parrett and Dustie Rice have stepped into expanded roles to fill gaps left by graduation. The roster has also benefited from the emergence of freshman Christa Mabry, who has provided a steady presence in the back row during high-intensity situations.
With the postseason approaching, the tournament sweep and subsequent home victory provide a blueprint for the standard the program hopes to maintain moving forward.
"Going into the postseason, I think this tournament gave us some confidence and momentum, but we understand that the job isn’t finished," Harris said. "We have bigger goals ahead of us. We want to enjoy and celebrate what we accomplished, while continuing to stay disciplined and consistent in the work it takes to get where we want to go."
The Wesleyan Christian School Lady Mustangs won second place in their own volleyball tournament last week.
Photo courtesy of Craig’s Photography