ALL-STATE TENNIS Surprises kept coming for Carl Albert’s Lawson

TULSA — Katey Lawson was already planning to be courtside on Tuesday to support her fellow Carl Albert tennis player, Blake Vogt, who had been selected to play in the Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State matches.

But a couple of weeks ago, she got a surprising call inviting her to play for the West team after another player dropped out.

When she arrived at the University of Tulsa’s Case Tennis Center on Tuesday, she had another smaller, but still unexpected surprise awaiting her.

Lawson would also be singing the national anthem.

“I was like, sure, why not?” Lawson said. “I do it all the time. I’ve done a football game, numerous basketball games and assemblies and stuff like that.”

Singing in front of the entire crowd proved to be less stressful than the tennis.

“The most pressure was my singles match,” said Lawson, who played doubles for much of her senior season. “I hadn’t played singles in a while. But it was fun.”

Lawson and MacKenzie Rains of Duncan won their doubles match 8-6, but Lawson was defeated by Morganne Freeman 8-1 in singles.

Sheffield recognized for comeback

Exactly a year ago, Ada’s Karsen Sheffield was involved in a horrific car crash.

Because of the injuries she sustained, she was still missing school into the fall, but she gradually worked her way back to the tennis court.

After earning an All-State spot, the Oklahoma Tennis Coaches Association decided to recognize her effort with a special award that isn’t given every year.

Before the matches began, Sheffield received the Comeback Player of the Year Award.

East rolls to overall victory

Powered by a girls team that won 11 of its 15 matches, the East took the overall title 17-13.

The West boys defeated the East 9-6, thanks in part to the Heritage Hall duo of Jack Kaiser and Miller Zeiders. They combined for three total victories, each winning their singles matches and teaming up for a doubles win.

The East girls were particularly strong in doubles, winning four of the five matches to seal the victory. Jeryn Jack of Tulsa Kelley, Sarah Cameron of Jenks, Chanel Boydston of Claremore and McKenzie Miley of Cascia Hall each went undefeated for the East.

I was like, ‘sure, why not?’ I do it all the time. I’ve done a football game, numerous basketball games and assemblies and stuff like that.”

Carl Albert’s Katey Lawson, on singing the National Anthem at the Oklahoma City Coaches Association All-State competition