From KTUL:

Special Olympics Oklahoma and Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) are teaming up to create the first-ever Unified Sports Volleyball league for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

The new league provides Special Olympics athletes in high school the opportunity to play for a Volleyball State Championship.

“OSSAA crowns champions in 27 Sports and Academic areas, and we are excited to provide the opportunity for Special Olympics athletes to experience and share championship moments together with their peers,” said Todd Gulsby, OSSAA Assistant Volleyball Director.

Unified Sports provides individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to play on the same playing field with their peers that do not have disabilities.

“We are thrilled to have this new partnership with OSSAA. OSSAA crowns State Champions, and for the first time ever, they will crown a Special Olympics Volleyball team as State Champions,” said John Seals, Special Olympics Oklahoma Sports Director.

The season kicked off Monday night at Catoosa High School.

The winners will meet at the 5A-6A Volleyball State Championship in October.