With heavy hearts, Lancers thump Inter-City Baptist
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
AUBURN HILLS — Players on Auburn Hills Oakland Christian’s volleyball team played with some heavy hearts Tuesday night.
The coaching staff learned that the cousin of senior middle hitter Darcy Johnston was one of the two Oakland University students tragically killed in an automobile accident Saturday night.
Johnston and the Lancers used visiting Allen Park Inter-City Baptist as some therapy, topping the Chargers, 3-0, in the MIAC Blue Division finale.
Oakland Christian posted wins of 25-15, 25-21, 25-15, barely taking an hour to down Inter-City Baptist and clinch second place in the league.
“I didn’t even know that it was a cousin of one of our players until midway through practice Monday,” admitted Oakland Christian Coach Priscilla Larned. “I asked Darcy if she wanted to take some time off and she said she was fine.”
Johnston still slammed 19 kills to lead the Lancers. Becky Van Floten added 12 kills, Marcella Compeau added 20 digs and six kills and Erin Washington chipped in with 37 assists for the Lancers (25-11-4, 7-3).
“I thought Darcy played very good considering the circumstances. They couldn’t block her,” said Larned. “There are some kids that could not compete in these situations. She didn’t let it show.”
Oakland Christian got out to big leads in the first two games and found itself in an 11-9 deficit in Game 3. The Lancers closed out the third game with a 16-4 run, fueled by the play of Johnston and Compeau. A sophomore, Compeau is a transfer from Davison Faith Baptist who has been a key addition to the Lancers’ roster.
“She’s a very good defensive player and she’s starting to hit better,” said Larned, who coached her older sister, Alexandria Compeau, to All-State First-Team honors in 2002.
“We are a much better team than we were in the beginning of the season,” added Larned, who has three sophomores in her main rotation. “We’re starting to come around a bit.”
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Category: Auburn Hills Avondale, High School, High School (M-Z), Prep Wraps
