Volleyball insider: Lions roaring, keep on winning

Despite being without top player, Emmanuel Christian has rolled to 9-0 overall record.

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By Kermit Rowe, Staff Writer 10:06 PM Wednesday, September 15, 2010

SPRINGFIELD — Quick — name the only undefeated volleyball team left in Clark County.

Bet you won’t get it on the first try.

That’s because the only perfect team left out of the 10 in the county has never been undefeated this far into its season. And it is doing it without its best player, who has been sidelined with an injury.

Emmanuel Christian Academy is 9-0 overall and 5-0 in the Metro Buckeye Conference heading into tonight’s home match with Dayton Jefferson.

“I think it is our best start ever,” said fourth-year coach Angie Arthur.

Even Arthur didn’t anticipate such a great start after losing three-year starting outside hitter Ashley Oren to a back injury.

“No, I would not have thought we would,” she admitted. “I came into the season very nervous — more nervous for the girls. You know, whether or not they could handle not winning well.

“It has worked out nice for them,” she continued. “Some have gotten more playing time out of it.”

The key has been maturity and chemistry.

“Our team chemistry is working well this year — and it should, I guess,” she said. “I have seven seniors. They’ve all played together for four years.”

Now Oren, the Lions’ leading hitter the past three seasons who has been treated for several herniated discs in her back, could possibly be back Monday, if her doctor gives her a release. That’s good news all around.

“When you hear Ashley’s out, it’s ‘Oh no!’ ” said Arthur, whose team was 17-6 last year. “This was supposed to be the year for us.

“But to start out and beat Northeastern, I think that was huge. It has set the tone for us.”

Arthur’s team did something else different heading into this season.

“We did two-a-days for the first time and I thought the girls were going to die,” she said. “I thought ‘These girls need to be in better shape.’ Last year, we struggled in those long matches. I really worked them hard, and it has paid off. We haven’t gotten tired yet.”

Oren’s return couldn’t have come at a better time. The Lions have a showdown at home with unbeaten Dayton Christian on Tuesday that will tell them where they stand. The two teams shared the MBC title a year ago.

“That’ll be our big showdown,” she said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0364 or krowe@coxohio.com.

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