Oak Ridge set for area round showdown with Tomball

Oak Ridge is back in the area round, and its opponent is one the War Eagles haven’t played in some time.

Just as the War Eagles took care of business against Westfield Monday night in the bi-district round, the Tomball Cougars did the same with a sweep of Cypress Woods.

That sets up the Region II-6A Division II second-round showdown, 5:30 p.m. Friday at Klein High School.

It’s the first meeting between Oak Ridge (34-11) and Tomball (22-19) since 2016, back when the Cougars were still a Class 5A program. That year, the War Eagles, under head coach Tommie Lynne Sledge, advanced to the state tournament for the second consecutive year.

The War Eagles have won eight straight against Tomball between 2009-16. The last time the Cougars beat Oak Ridge was September 2009.

Both teams have their sights on advancing farther than last year.

Both the 2023 versions of Oak Ridge and Tomball have something in common. Bridgeland defeated Tomball in the bi-district round and defeated the War Eagles three nights later in the area round. The Bears fell to eventual state-champion Grand Oaks in the regional quarterfinals.

Oak Ridge last made the third round in 2018 while Tomball’s last trip was much more recently in 2022. That Cougars squad won an undefeated district championship.

As for this year?

The Cougars are experiencing quite possibly their best stretch of the season as they ride a seven-match win streak. Tomball went 12-4 in District 15-6A with all four losses coming in the first round. During the win streak, the Cougars have dropped just three sets and two of those came in a five-set win over rival Tomball Memorial on Oct. 18. Tomball has four straight sweeps since then and hasn’t lost since Oct. 8 to Magnolia West.

Oak Ridge has won five of its last seven with all five wins via sweep. The War Eagles most recent loss came on the last day of the regular season to The Woodlands on Oct. 29.

Oak Ridge played well Monday in a home playoff match with Westfield – 25-10, 25-17, 25-15 sweep.

The War Eagles totaled 46 kills with Karli Glover stepping up for a team-high 10. Juniors Gaby Santiago and Leila Ceaser each had nine kills. Michah Rusher did a little of everything with six kills, two blocks and three aces. Santiago led in digs with 11 and senior Bradi Rhodes had 29 assists and eight digs.