Calvary Is Inspired in Victory

The moment meant everything. With the crowd standing and cheering in her honor, Calvary Chapel outside hitter Kelly Overby stood behind the baseline Saturday, a volleyball in her hands and a broad smile on her face.

It was the first time the Eagle star had played since late October because of an undisclosed illness, and she only stayed long enough to make two serves to open the second game.

Although she remained noticeably weakened by the illness--she sat on the bench for the majority of the match, wearing a warmup outfit--Overby didn’t disappoint during her brief appearance. Just the fact that she made it onto the court was more than enough.

Overby served the ball underhanded and the crowd went wild as second-seeded Calvary Chapel won the point on the way to a 15-5, 15-12, 15-11 victory over top-seeded Brentwood in the Southern Section Division IV-A girls volleyball championship match at Cypress College.

After serving, Overby stood behind the baseline and out of the line of fire. She made a second serve and then left the game after Brentwood won a side out.

“It meant a lot for Kelly,” said Calvary Chapel Coach Jim Downey, who wrapped up his third title of the 1990s. “She’s a very special part of this team whether she plays or not. She means a lot.”

“I knew how bad she wanted it,” added senior middle blocker Christy Kimmel, who recorded a game-high 18 kills to go with two aces. “I think it meant the world to her to be out there.”

Kimmel and Overby, a two-time All-Olympic League selection, have been varsity teammates since their freshman year. They had reached the title game twice before, in 1996 and ‘98, losing each time. That made this victory more special.

“It felt awesome,” Kimmel said. “I wanted it so bad.”

Calvary Chapel (16-2) set the tone for the match when it took an 11-0 lead.

Brentwood (17-3), which had defeated Calvary Chapel earlier in the season, made a late charge in Game 2. Brentwood pulled within a point at 13-12, but Calvary Chapel won the game after a Brentwood player was charged with a double hit and senior outside hitter Halina Staniland slammed down a powerful kill.

Brentwood took a 5-1 lead in Game 3, but Calvary Chapel clawed back behind a pair of Kimmel aces and several misfires by Brentwood. Calvary Chapel took the lead at 8-7 and never relinquished it, utilizing a Kimmel block on game point.