Thor hammers for LCA

By Michael Ashcraft --

Her arm was trained in soft ball but used with deadly power yesterday to power Lighthouse Christian Academyof Santa Monica to its first round playoff win against Desert Christian of Lancaster Thursday.

It was as if 200 or so fans weren't watching Dahlia Gonzalez, a junior. It was as if Thor himself showed up to thunder down hammer blows against the hapless Knights.

"I think that was the first time she slammed the ball at the 3-foot line," said Coach Jessica Young. "Straight down."

The Saints play their second round playoff game on Saturday.

Lighthouse had to work hard to defeat Desert Christian School, going all the way to five games to send them home dejected. The Knights showed spunk, coming from behind to win Game 1, with blocks and serves that befuddled the Saints.

"They played as a team. We had a little trouble on defense. They had a leftie hitter and a couple good blockers. Their serves are what really got us," Jessica explained. "But overall the girls decided, 'We don't want to lose, and we're gonna fight.' They really tightened it up."

The Saints adjusted to the serves and scrambled its sets to avoid the blockers.

LCA lost 21-25, won 27-25, won 25-12, lost 25-27 and finished them off 15-6.

Dahlia was at her best form. Out of 35 hits, 25 were kills.

"Thor is a distant relative," quipped the softballer when asked about her striking prowess. "I was particularly inspired today. This is the biggest crowd we've had so far. I wanted to make everyone proud."

After searching for the winning strategy, LCA began to show its superiority in Game 3. Senior Clara Czer smashed home serve after serve to bury the Knights at the end of the game.

Divine inspiration is alleged.

"She was in direct communication with God, I think," Jessica said. "She was singing a worship song."

For her part, Clara says she murmured her music to calm her nerves.

"I was so anxious because if we lose, me and Roxy (Photenhauer, who is also a senior) are done forever after our 11 years of playing volleyball," Clara explained. "So every time I went to back to serve, I sang and said, 'Use me, God.'"

Here's the chorus from Chris Tomlin that she sung softly:

I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side.

Try it on your next game or exam.

Lancaster rallied to snatch Game 4, but Lighthouse crushed them in Game 5.

The LCA Saints are now 17 and 5.

Michael Ashcraft teaches journalism at the Lighthouse Christian Academy in Santa Monica.