— Claire Farmer was bitten with the volleyball bug when she was six years old. This year she will take that bite to the next level as a member of the Muskogee High School varsity volleyball team.

Farmer, whose older sister Alex Hames played for the Lady Roughers from 2007-10, arrives on the court after having played on the Lady Roughers’ freshman team as an eighth-grader last year, helping the team to a 22-0 record.

“This is a big responsibility,” said the 5-9 freshman outside hitter. “I’ve been playing club ball since I was 7, so now it’s time to move up a notch. Hopefully, watching Alex, I picked up a few pointers that I can use.”

Farmer played her club ball for Club One at the Tulsa Volleyball Academy and that experience has her prepared for her high school career.

“I learned how to win by playing club ball,” Farmer said. “I also learned how to get back up when I got down on myself and also how to get my teammates back up.”

Muskogee coach John Hammer has seen Farmer display her talents on all levels and is excited to have her on this year’s squad.

“Claire is definitely our most talented offensive player,” Hammer said. “Most of our offense will go through her. She was on the club team we took to nationals and has faced the older competition.”

And Hammer is quick to point out that a strong club background makes any player that much stronger.

“There’s no doubt that if you’re not playing in a strong club program at the 6A level, you’re not going to make it,” Hammer said. “You can’t play volleyball for 2 1/2 months and then stop and expect to be as good as players that play almost the year round in a top club program. Claire has definitely benefited from her time in Club One.”

When it comes to reacting to adversity on the court, Farmer has to look no further than her teammate Karsten Fleak, the only returning senior in the starting lineup.

“Claire is going to see that the game is a lot faster at this level,” Fleak said. “You have to be ready on every point and you can’t stop until the point is over.”

Fleak, who plays right side, is also aware that her game will benefit by having Farmer on the same side.

“She is the best hitter on the team,” Fleak said. “That just adds to the two or three other hitters we already have. Teams will not be able to set their defense against just one of our hitters.

“With Claire on the left, our setters can go to me or her. That helps out everyone.”

Farmer has learned a few things from Fleak in the short time the two have practiced together that will benefit her in the long run.

“She has showed me how to keep my emotions under control,” Farmer said. “When we get down, she is the first one to get everyone together and settles us down.”

With all that lies in front of her, Farmer is ready to get her prep career started.

“I’m excited to finally be playing at this level,” Farmer said. “Everywhere level I’ve played, I’ve been a team captain so this season will be a little different. I just have to let the game come to me.”