The 2024 season is officially under way and the Mustang Broncos are set to take the next step under coach Blake Newman.
The Broncos rolled off a 23-9 record last fall as Newman and his staff continued to build a winning culture around the program. Now the squad has playoff contention in its sights.
“One of the goals is to be in the state tournament,” Newman said. “We feel like to take that step, one thing we need to do is host a regional. I really feel like we can compete with anybody and that we’re right where we need to be at this point. We’re growing into what we can be.”
Newman was impressed with summer workouts and preseason practices. He says the camaraderie and work ethic to this point has been top notch.
“It was a great turnout in the offseason,” he said. “Our girls came in and worked hard with our strength and conditioning coach Josh Brewer. The amount of weight they have been moving around in the weight room is pretty impressive, to where you can see it in their verticals and the way they’re moving on the court. It’s just a joy to see that kind of buy in and production.”
Newman is heading into his fourth year as Mustang’s head coach and has a seen a distinct change since his opening season at the helm.
“A lot of these girls were freshmen when we came in and they already know the expectations offensively and defensively,” he said. “When you take over a program, the first couple of years can be a little difficult. But these girls don’t know anything different than what we’ve been preaching. And you can see that in the quality of practice and scrimmages so far.”
There is solid mixture of older and younger talent on this year’s roster, including senior libero Gracelyn Higgins, who enters her third season as the starting defensive specialist.
Gracelyn Higgins (Sr.) is entering her third season as Mustang’s libero. Coach Blake Newman has high expecations for Higgins as the team continues the start of its season. (Photo by Shelly Holinsworth / Freelance Action Photography)
Higgins was one of the team leaders in digs and assists and is already off to a fast start in 2024, finishing with a team-high 22 digs in a season-opening win over Norman North on Tuesday.
“We’re expecting really big things out of Gracelyn this season,” Newman said. “She’s a veteran and knows that position and how to lead our team. She’s exactly what you want as a libero at the 6A level.”
Outside hitter Grace Davis (Jr.) will be looked upon as one of the squad’s offensive leaders this fall, along with Emrie Brown (Sr.) in the middle. Newman says they have always envisioned Davis on the outside and that Brown could once again be the squad’s Offensive Player of the Year.
Brown finished with 17 kills in Tuesday’s win over Norman North while Davis collected 15.
Hadley Hunter, one of the major contributors from last year’s squad, is also back for her senior season. Newman describes her as one of the most consistent passers and hitters on the squad.
Also helping out on the offensive side will be Reagan Glenn (Jr.), who steps into the the setter role for the first time this season. She has been one of the team’s go-to defensive specialists, but Newman sees her playing a pivotal role in Mustang’s new 5-1 offense.
“We saw what kind of hands she has the last two seasons and the way she can deliver a set,” Newman said. “She’s stepping into this new role and so far, so good. Several coaches have complimented the way she has played. She’s also a high-level defender, so we feel like we’re winning all the way around with her moving positions.”
Hadley Hunter (Sr.) returns to the Mustang Bronco lineup as one of the team’s opposite side hitters in 2024. (Photo by Shelly Holinsworth / Freelance Action Photography)
Siyah Williams (So.) and Hayden Tobolsky have also caught the coaching staff’s eye. Williams is a middle blocker while Tobolsky, who moved to Mustang from San Diego, Calif., plays opposite side hitter – both with plenty of talent.
“Siyah was probably one of our hardest workers this summer with the amount of weight she was moving around the gym and one of our most athletic girls” Newman said. “Hayden is another girl we are expecting big things out of. She is tall with really long arms and is putting up a very big block on the right side.”
The Broncos opened the season with a five-set win over Norman North on Tuesday, showing early in the year the capabilities Newman knows his team possesses.
“I feel like it’s always a work in progress,” he said of the program’s culture and how he sees the squad competing to start out. “One thing that has been a challenge is trying to keep these girls from feeling like it’s their turn as they grow in our program.
“Everything has to be earned and you have to prove yourself. We want to keep fostering this family atmosphere to where they are guiding themselves with that attitude.”
Mustang heads to the Sand Springs Tournament this weekend before traveling to Edmond to take on the 2023 state finalist Memorial Bulldogs on Tuesday. The Broncos host their first home match on Aug. 27 against the Norman Tigers.
“I would just like to encourage people to come out and support this team,” Newman said. “We have a really talented squad and they deserve to have big crowds in the stands when they play.”
