Cool and confident Lions bring home volleyball title
By Kyle Jorrey jorrey@theacorn.com
Even senior Kevin McClure’s unexpected post-match rap rendition of Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back,” which was equal parts hilarious and equal parts disturbing, couldn’t put a black eye on Oaks Christian’s first-ever CIF Southern Section volleyball title Saturday afternoon at Cypress College.

JUBILATION—Oaks Christian teammates Brendan Skinner and Brandon Polley celebrate following the Lions’ 3-0 win over South Pasadena in the Div IV volleyball championship match. The victory gives OCHS its first-ever boys’ volleyball title. They end their season with a 28-1 record

As unusual as the sight was, seeing McClure display his hiphop skills a capella while being encircled by his teammates and videoed by a parent, it made perfect sense for a team that won all year by keeping its cool and staying loose, no matter what the situation.

ON POINT—Talented, but often goofy, Oaks Christian senior Jeff Gerlach sets the ball during the championship match

“This team had such amazing chemistry,” said junior Alex Walker. “We don’t take everything so seriously. We just go out there and have a good time. It starts with Jeff Gurlach stomping around the court in his size 16 shoes and it goes through everybody.” If not for a minor setback against Oak Park, the mighty Lions would have finished the season undefeated. Though they just missed out on accomplishing that goal, the Lions and head coach George Hees got the one they wanted most.

“It was our goal all season long, from day one. It almost seems crazy we finally made it here,” said Hees, who wins a championship in just his second year at OCHS. “I knew all year long we had the talent to win, it was just about the guys showing up to play—and they did.” The No.1 seeded Lions’ multifaceted attack simply overpowered the second-seeded Tigers.

When it wasn’t Walker or fellow outside hitter Brendan Skinner, it was middle blocker Kevin McClure or crafty setter Brandon Denham.

Every time the ball was on the Oaks Christian side of the court, the Lions’ looked like they had the opportunity to score. More often than not, they did.

“This team has been pumped up all week long,” Hees said. “They knew they could easily take it if they came out and played their game.” Denham, who will be a member of the Princeton Tigers next season, said it came down to experience for Oaks Christian.

“Experience was huge, absolutely,” said Denham, who finished the championship match with 28 assists.

“We have so many players on this team who play club volleyball that everybody was ready to play in a high-intensity situation. No one let the fact that this was a championship match get in the way. We were relaxed and confident, and it showed.” With the victory, boys’ volleyball takes another bite out of the rapidly shrinking list of Oaks Christian sports teams yet to claim a CIF title.

“It’s kind of become the hip thing to do around here,” Hees said. “I’m just glad I was here when the volleyball team did it. Hopefully this win will set the tone for the future of success of Oaks Christian volleyball.” The Lions graduate just four seniors from their championship roster: Denham, McClure, Gerlach and Brandon Polley.