ORU volleyball commit caps career with victory
BY JOSH HALEY World Correspondent
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
7/25/12 at 2:46 PM
Correction: A Wednesday Tulsa World sports story listed the wrong score for in the Small East match. The East won, 25-15, 25-22, 18-25. This story has been corrected.
For recent Union graduate Kylie Johnson, volleyball is much more than a sport. It's a calling.
"I have a big heart for the game, and around freshman year, I was getting varsity playing time and I realized that God gave me this talent and I was supposed to use it," said Johnson.
Johnson, who is committed to play for Oral Roberts, had once considered giving up the sport.
"I know I want to be a teacher and a coach someday, and I ultimately realized this is a calling," Johnson said.
Playing for the East All-State team Tuesday in Bixby, Johnson's kill was the final point of the match to seal the win.
The East beat the West in two of three sets, and Johnson finished with more than 10 kills.
In her last match before playing collegiately, the all-state victory was a nice ending to a junior career she began at age 12.
"My parents have never pushed me to play sports, but... they've supported me 100 percent," said Johnson. "They taught me to listen to coaches, respect people and put everything into it."
Johnson says she chose ORU for the team atmosphere and the education program.
"(Union) Coach (Chadd) McKee taught me to play with a lot of character and that it's all about the team," said Johnson. "This year I was able to become a more versatile and well-rounded player, and that will prepare me to play the outside at ORU."
For Johnson, learning more about volleyball has meant learning more about life.
"The more you give to your team and ignore your personal wants, the better things turn out," said Johnson. "The second I stopped playing for myself and I started playing for a bigger purpose, things started to fall into place."
All-State volleyball roundup
Large schools
East def. West, 25-14, 25-20, 25-15
The story: The East won all three sets in dominating fashion to win the large school all-state volleyball match on Tuesday night in Bixby.
Bartlesville's Sadie Schaffner, along with Union teammates Kylie Johnson and Alexa Knox combined for more than 20 kills to lead the East.
Top Performances: Schaffner was named the match's most valuable player, registering more than ten kills.
Noteworthy: Edmond Memorial's Skylar Conner led the West with more than ten kills.
Small schools
East def. West, 25-15, 25-22, 18-25
The story:The East won the first two sets on its way to victory in the small school All-State match in Bixby on Tuesday night.
Heritage Hall's Sydney Miles' ace serve capped a 15-9 West run to win the third set and the match.
Top Performances: Cache's Madison Ward, who is committed to play for Oklahoma next season, was named the co-most valuable player for the West all-stars while Cascia Hall's Aryn Dixon was named co-MVP for the East.
Noteworthy: Oklahoma Bible's Taylor Chrismas was the recipient of the lone Jim Thorpe award, given by the Oklahoma Coaches Association to the player of the year.
Original Print Headline: ORU commit caps career with victory
All-State Schedule
Wednesday
Girls basketball: at ORU's Mabee Center, 7 p.m. (Small) and 8:30 p.m. (Large)
Wrestling: at Bixby High School, 7 p.m. (Small) and 8:30 p.m. (Large)
Thursday
Boys basketball: at ORU's Mabee Center, 7 p.m. (Small) and 8:30 p.m. (Large)
Friday
Football: at Union-Tuttle Stadium, 8 p.m.
Associated Images:
East's Caroline Arnould spikes the ball as Aryn Dixon looks on during the All-State small school volleyball game at Bixby High School on Tuesday. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World
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