Lancers fall short of regional title bid
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
WATERFORD — Auburn Hills Oakland Christian took the wrong night not to have its best performance.
The Lancers, honorable mention in the Class D polls, were making their 10th straight appearance in the regional finals, but came up short in a 3-1 loss to Plymouth Christian.
The state-ranked Eagles (27-9-2) posted a 25-20, 23-25, 25-13, 25-12 triumph over the Lancers to live another day in the postseason and reach some unchartered territory. Plymouth Christian, which won its first-ever regional crown, will travel to Deckerville Tuesday for the state quarterfinals.
Oakland Christian finishes with a 33-16-6 record.
“Plymouth Christian is very experienced with some good seniors and their best hitter is a junior,” said veteran Oakland Christian coach Priscilla Larned. “They have four girls that can hit the ball strong. They went undefeated in our league and I knew they were tough. I knew last year that they would have a really good team this year.”
Oakland Christian reached the state semifinals last season and had won seven regional titles in the past 10 years. Oakland Christian had also reached the state semifinals five times dating back to 1998, but its youth reared its ugly head in this match.
“We were in it after the first two games,” said Larned. “They won the first game, which was close, and we pulled out the second game. But after that we just went away. I don’t know what happened.”
Darcy Johnston had 12 kills and sophomore Rachel VanSloten added 10 kills for Oakland Christian.
Kristin Malcolm led Plymouth Christian with 15 kills.
“Those were the only two that could get some kills to drop tonight,” said Larned. “But I told them that we went farther than what most expected them too. We had five seniors, but not a lot of experience. We lost a lot of girls to graduation from last year’s team that made the semifinals.
“Plymouth Christian has a ton of experience, especially out of high school (with club ball),” added Larned. “They are just a more experienced team than we are and it showed.”
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Category: Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, Prep Wraps
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