Oakland Christian hoping for chance to finish three-year story
AUBURN HILLS » A three-year story has been left without an ending.
The Auburn Hills Oakland Christian volleyball team is hoping it will still get to pen that ending.
In 2018, the Lancers were a roster comprised of three sophomores and five freshmen.
At the time, then- coach Dan Willson wasn’t shy to say the Lancers would win a state championship in 2020.
The Lancers took their bumps in 2018 and 2019, and brought in new coach Brian Theut for 2020.
This year, Oakland Christian has looked like a team ready to live up to its prognostication.
Most recently, that included a sweep of Allen Park Inter- City Baptist in a Division 4 regional championship last Thursday.
Now, just matches away from a state championship, Oakland Christian finds itself wondering if it will ever get that chance to complete their prophecy.
“When I took over this program, the seniors on this team had had a goal to get this point since they were sophomores. This is the year for this team. This was their year to really achieve the goals they have been chasing for three years,” Theut said. “Obviously, you are heartbroken for them as a coach, but we just have to remain positive and remain prepared. Hopefully these girls get the chance to finish the job.”
On Sunday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is issuing a three-week, epidemic order that included the suspension of organized non-professional sports. The MHSAA quickly responded and put a three-week stop to the fall tournaments currently in place.
Oakland Christian was scheduled to face Ubly in a Division 4 quarterfinal on Tuesday night. Now, much like basketball teams did last March, volleyball teams still in the postseason await for their chance to compete for a championship.
“This season has been a roller coaster, but life has been a roller coaster this year,” Theut said.
The season began with question marks, as competition in the southern part of the state was delayed due to COVID-19. Teams were forced to train outdoors or through zoom meetings in order to prep for the season.
“I was telling my girls all season that we were on borrowed
time. Nothing was going to be guaranteed to us,” Theut said. “This season has been the true definition of ‘ live every day,’ and play each game like it is your last.”
Oakland Christian has done just that, earning a MIAC Blue, district and regional championship in one of the best seasons in program history.
Leading the charge has been a crop of four seniors. Setter Katie Hopkins has been a team captain since she was a sophomore. She is joined alongside senior hitters Kaylee Page and Emilia Scafone, as well as senior defensive specialist Hailee Ide.
Oakland Christian has a balanced offensive attack behind the setting of Hopkins. Page, as well as juniors Micah Tison and Anna Frazee all earned AllMIAC honors this fall.
Defensively, Ide and junior Olivia Colletti are a great duo that have allowed Oakland Christian to set themselves apart in Division 4.
As the team goes through these next three weeks and awaits word on what is next, Theut just hopes that the volleyball community collectively does its part to help slow the spread of the virus and create an equal playing field for the remaining teams.
“This is the last week of the season, where volleyball is being played at its highest level. It’s hard to imagine taking three weeks off and preparing for a week and expecting the play to remain where it is right now. Then, you have to wonder if everyone will follow the rules. Will any teams try to find ways to practice and get in gyms,” Theut said. “What’s important now is to get the numbers down and get back to the court. I know my girls are focused on that and doing their part to stay ready for when they get a chance to play again.”