Reform school volleyball?

By Michael Ashcraft --

Two years ago, Heidy Hutchinson misbehaved in school and, looking for a fresh start, transferred to Lighthouse Christian Academy in Santa Monica.

On Wednesday, Heidy led the 2nd-string team to a 1st-rate victory against beginner's team Summit View School to notch-up LCA's record to 6-1.

"Me and my brother went to public school, we got in trouble, we had to come here," Heidy says. "We kind of became better people and grew in school. I learned more about God. I got closer to God, and that's it."

The sidelines erupted in wild cheers for Heidy as serve after serve -- underhanded serves -- went over the net and -- excuse the pun -- netted points for LCA.

They weren't cheering for Lighthouse, which was unyieldingly driving Summit into the depths. They were cheering strictly for Heidy. She's come a long way. (Link to an article on Heidy from 2019.)

"I'm not really a sports person. I'm not very athletic," Heidy says. "I didn't really want to play volleyball, but Sarah (Montez) and Lakin (Wilson) pushed me to play. They begged me to. I'm really thankful they did because I wouldn't be playing if they didn't."

Lighthouse is NOT a reform school. But they say God can re-form anyone who has taken missteps down the wrong path.

When Heidy scored the last point, players on the bench mobbed her, high-fiving and hugging.

"She got the last winning serve!" Sarah said. "She's the team captain."

Heidy is not team captain, but jokes and self-esteem props are appropriate.

"She carried the team," says her brother, David Hutchison, who studied at LCA last year but didn't re-enroll this year :(

Her older brother, Daniel, joined the chorus of praises.

"My sister is the most beautiful girl I've ever met in my life," Daniel says. "I did everything I could to lead her in the right directions, but she did it on her own. She's going to be the one in our family who doesn't get in trouble, who goes to college, who waits for marriage, who does the right thing."

Heidi scored eight points on serves, four of them "aces."

(What a thrill to motivate someone who is turning her life around!)

"I'm really happy for Heidy," said Coach Jessica Young. "She's really good at the net. She's left-handed. She's getting better a passing, and her serves are not always consistent, but she was on it today. Heidy is striving for godliness in her life. Any time we talk about something spiritual in the car, she wants to talk about it for a long time. She's really trying to do the right thing. She's thankful for discipline. I'm really happy for her. She's had a really hard life."

Lighthouse beat Summit View in home games at Memorial Park 25-7, 25-5, 25-8.

Genesis Mendez, a childhood friend of Heidy, also struck goal in Wednesday's game.

"She's never played a sport with a ball in her life," Coach Jessica says. "But in this game, she connected with a ball with her back to the net and was in perfect position but bent her arms so it didn't make it. I'm proud of her for that."

At Lighthouse, the most important victories don't happen on the court; they happen in the heart.

"The team playing builds stronger friendships," says Heidy. "It's good to have good relationships with people. We have some really strong friendships that I didn't have in public school."

Also read other LCA games:
Vs. SFVA Oct. 12.Vs. Westmark School Oct. 7
Vs. Beacon Hill Academy Oct. 14,
Vs. Ojai Valley School Sept. 28.
Vs. SCVi Sept. 23.
Vs. Newbury Park Adventist Academy Sept. 9
Vs. Hillcrest Christian Sept. 15.
Vs. Gorman Learning Center Sept 16.

Michael Ashcraft teaches journalism at the Lighthouse Christian Academy, a short drive from Playa del Rey.