The Lake Orion High School Varsity Volleyball Team has a new coach this season, but his name is anything but new to the Lake Orion Volleyball Program.
Mike Hatch served as the school’s varsity coach until 1991, coaching varsity and junior varsity volleyball for a combined 15 years at LOHS. He’s been an assistant coach for the Lake Orion Track Team since 1995.
He’s back on the LOHS volleyball court again this season as the new varsity coach. Hatch has 14 girls on the team this year, including seniors Lindsey Randazzo, Stephanie Keteyian, Lisa Bringard and Kate Jones, who all are returning varsity players.
The team has a large junior class this year, with nine: Nichole Woityra, Kelsey Stout, Catie Fosmoen, Aubrey Dyl (returning varsity), Melissa Marriott, Ellen Dueparo, Hillary Conklin, Sarah Papke (returning varsity), and Katie Poisson, currently out with an ankle injury. Kristin Larsen is the sole sophomore on the varsity team this year.
“She’s quite an athlete,” Hatch said of Larsen.
The team began practicing Nov. 20, and Hatch said 75 girls came out for the freshmen, junior varsity and varsity squads.
“We’re cutting girls now that in previous years would have been playing,” he said.
Hatch said the varsity team will be carried by their positive attitude and enthusiasm this season.
“That will be key,” he said. “They’re really energetic and that carries over to the volleyball court. They’re hungry to win.”
Last year’s varsity finished 7-27 in OAA II, and Hatch said he will work hard to improve that records in OAA II this season. The team plays in OAA I at the state level.
“We’re trying to keep it as simple as we can,” he said. “They were lacking somewhat in their fundamental skills. I’m a big believer in baking the cake before you put the frosting on. Big spikes are the frosting…we’re working on serving and passing right now.”
The team got a jump start for the season when Team Michigan from Kalamazoo came to LOHS to hold a camp earlier this fall.
“We need girls to play AAU volleyball in the spring,” Hatch said. “If you give kids a good experience and have fun with it, they’ll want to do it more.”
Hatch brings a sincere love of the game to the varsity team.
“We’re here to win,” he said. “That’s not what we’re all about, but everyone’s striving to be the best…that’s where we’re headed.”
Hatch has been pleased with how he’s been received by the varsity team.
“I’ve been tickled pink with how they’ve accepted me,” he said. “I’ve been very happy with the senior leadership of (Keteyian) and (Randazzo). They are not only great athletes, but they have the attitude to win.”