GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Oakland Christian slays Knights for second straight regional title
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BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
MADISON HEIGHTS — Pricilla Larned remembers the time when Auburn Hills Oakland Christian didn’t field a highly-respected girls volleyball program.
“We were 6-6 in the league in my first season and 0-for-900 before I took over,” said Larned, who took over the Lancers’ program in 1986. “Back then the players knew more about volleyball than I did, but I made them work hard.”
Working hard, playing solid defense and working for a common cause is what has aided Oakland Christian throughout the years — and it is paying off again this season. The Lancers, despite never receiving a vote in the Class C polls all season, captured its second straight regional crown Thursday night at Madison Heights Bishop Foley with a swift, 3-0, sweep of Grosse Pointe Woods University-Liggett in a match that lasted less than an hour.
The Lancers bounced the Knights by a 25-14, 25-7, 25-12 difference to earn a date in Tuesday’s state quarterfinals round at Whitmore Lake against Ottawa Lake-Whiteford.
Although not overpowering at the net, the Lancers seemingly have the right chemistry on the court to reach the Elite Eight for the seventh time in 15 years — five times in Class D and twice in Class C.
“Defense,” smiled senior Marcella Compeau. “We play very good defense and we’re really tough on serve receive. I think we also get along really well, all of us, and that makes a difference. There is no drama on this team.”
Solid defense, lights-out serving and some on-court cohesiveness was apparent against University-Liggett, and Knights coach Jeff LaMagno became a believer Thursday night.
“They dig out everything and they serve really well,” he said. “Defensively, (Oakland Christian is) outstanding. They served us off the floor. We couldn’t get the swings we normally get because of how tough they were serving us. They outplayed and outcoached us tonight. They simply beat us (in all phases).”
Liggett rarely led all evening. In fact, the Knights (15-13-0) were up 2-1 and 3-2 early in Game 3 before Oakland Christian went on another long run to pull away for good.
The Lancers were rarely threatened during the match, even holding a large, 16-4 lead in Game 2. Oakland Christian has now swept all five of its postseason opponents and is on a roll, winning five straight postseason matches and eight of its last 10 matches overall heading into the quarterfinals.
Compeau led Oakland Christian with 17 kills, seven aces and 15 digs. Sophomore Camille Schomer added 10 kills and three aces, senior Samantha Durrant followed with seven kills and three blocks and senior Reagan Elrod scooped up 15 digs for the Lancers.
“This team never quits and they are so good defensively,” praised Larned. “I tell you what, I haven’t had too many teams that get along this well, either. Their chemistry is very good. Anyone that has coached girls for as a long as I have understands this. This team truly gets along and I think that has a big reason as to why we are still in (the tournament).
“I’ve had a lot of teams and this group continues to surprise me,” continued Larned. “The seniors have been awesome. They get along with everyone, and on a girls team, that’s very important.”
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FOR MORE VOLLEYBALL COVERAGE: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Volleyball&x=0&y=9
Have photos or video of this event that you wish to share? E-mail pertinent information to www.northoaklandsports.com Senior Editor Dan Stickradt at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com or e-mail results@northoaklandsports.com.
For a second-straight year, the Auburn Hills Oakland Christian volleyball team will head to the Class C state quarterfinals.
Using strong serves and even stronger defense, the Lancers claimed back-to-back regional crowns on Thursday night, sweeping Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, 25-14, 25-7, 25-12.
With the win, Oakland Christian (37-7-8) advances to next week’s round of eight, where it will take on Ottawa Lake Whiteford.
“These girls want this bad,” Oakland Christian coach Priscilla Larned said. “This group gets along so well, and these seniors have been awesome.”
Leading the Lancers against Liggett was outside hitter Marcella Compeau, who racked up a match-high 17 kills and seven aces. The talented senior also contributed greatly on defense, recording 15 digs to go with her impressive night on offense.
“(Marcella) has guts,” Larned said. “She’s an awesome leader, and she’s doing everything she can to lead the team.”
University Liggett struggled out of the gate, and Oakland Christian took advantage, ripping off nine-straight points during the 25-14 first set. Poor serve return and an inability to get many good swings really hindered the Knights’ chances on Thursday night.
“Defensively, (Oakland Christian) is outstanding,” Liggett coach Joe LaMagno said. “They served us off the floor. We couldn’t get the swings we normally get because of how tough they were serving us. They outplayed and outcoached us tonight.”
In the second game, the Lancers sprinted ahead 6-0 before eventually winning, 25-7. Sophomore Camille Schomer came up with a number of big serves that kept momentum on Oakland Christian’s side. Schomer would finish with three aces and 10 kills.
The third set was much of the same for both teams. The Lancers kept the heat up with tough serving, and because of it, Liggett found itself giving points away to Oakland Christian. Junior Elaine Haggard followed up Tuesday night’s performance with another gem, effectively distributing the ball to the Lancers’ core of hitters. Along with Compeau and Schomer, seniors Kathryn Wilson and Samantha Durrant combined for 14 kills.
“It’s very valuable to have a bunch of different hitters to go to,” Compeau said. “We have a really strong middle, and our outsides are good, too.”
With another sweep on Thursday night, Oakland Christian has yet to lose a set this postseason. Larned and Compeau agree a key to the run has been their team’s defense. But more importantly than defense, the two credit the team’s chemistry for playing a huge role.
“I’ve had a lot of teams,” Larned said. “And this group continues to surprise me. The seniors have been awesome. They get along with everyone, and on a girls team, that’s very important… These girls want this bad.”
“I’ve never been a part of a team that is so bonded,” Compeau added. “We don’t have any problems with anyone. It’s unusual for a girls team, but it’s important that we blend together so well.”
Ottawa Lake Whiteford is now all that stands in the way of a fifth trip to the final four for Larned, though this year would mark the first since moving up to Class C in 2011. She understands what it takes to get there, and continues to preach the importance of taking this postseason run one match at a time.
“We are just happy that we get a chance to take another step,” she said. “(Ottawa Lake Whiteford) has beat us, but we’re a different team. All of girls have stepped it up.”
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