![Christian Heritage's Olivia Curtis is the OKC Metro All-City Preps Athlete of the Year. [Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman]](https://www.oklahoman.com/gcdn/authoring/2019/07/02/NOKL/ghnewsok-OK-5635315-553c2948.jpeg?width=300&height=353&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
DEL CITY — After successful 5 state championships in volleyball and basketball in three years, Christian Heritage Academy star Olivia Curtis had one objective for her senior 12 months.
Lead and lead nicely.
“I needed to be the most effective workforce chief for my teammates,” Curtis stated. “At this level, I assumed if we didn't win one other state championship, perhaps I wouldn't fill that function.”
In a 12 months the place CHA went on to compete for championships in women sports activities, Curtis as soon as once more led the best way and have become arguably the most effective feminine athlete from a small non-public faculty in Del Metropolis.
She helped CHA end as state runner-up in volleyball and basketball. She then received the state doubles championship. She was named in all three sports activities The Oklahoman's All-Metropolis groups and Oklahoma Coaches Affiliation All-State groups.
Curtis is The Oklahoman's Feminine Athlete of the 12 months, an award she obtained June 3 on the Better of OKC Metro All-Metropolis Preps banquet.
“There aren't many ladies at our degree which have that athletic means,” CHA volleyball coach Heath Kufahl stated. “Apart from, he has one thing you’ll be able to't see. It's not simply women, however even boys. It's her competitiveness. She doesn't wish to lose.
“These two issues mixed with the suitable motive could make you particular.”
Curtis first found basketball at an early age just because it was the game her father understood probably the most. He was her coach.
Then she found volleyball. When she was enjoying as a baby, she started to fall into the sport. She joined the membership workforce at 11 and actually realized to like the sport.
When she was a freshman, Kufahl realized she had a star.
CHA misplaced two video games that 12 months to Damaged Arrow and Jenks. Curtis hit the ball out of bounds every time within the remaining set. However as an alternative of taking the errors exhausting, she took it as a problem.
“I need it subsequent time,” she advised Kufahl.
Taking it again, Kufahl knew the 4 years with Curtis can be particular. Later that fall, she helped CHA win the primary of three straight volleyball titles.
“Her response to it when she was a freshman was one thing you knew she had a special sort of drive,” Kufahl stated.
And on the basketball court docket as a sophomore, Curtis grew to become the chief of a younger and gifted workforce. That 12 months, unranked CHA shocked the state to win the Class 2A title. Then the Crusaders received it once more the following 12 months.
They moved as much as Class 3A this season. Greater faculties and harder competitors. However they nonetheless made the title recreation, this time falling to Adair.
“I needed to remind myself that I'm not enjoying to win one other state championship,” Curtis stated. “I actually play for my teammates and the ladies.
However she needed to win one other state title. This time it was on the tennis court docket.
Curtis' mother, Jana, is a CHA tennis coach. Olivia was at all times enjoying, initially as a result of her mother was her journey house. However she finally improved and made state as a freshman and junior.
This 12 months, she and Elise Wall have been the fourth seed in Class 4A No. 1 doubles, but took house the gold in a sport many didn't even understand Curtis even performed.
“We knew from the start that she was fairly athletic, and we put her in the suitable spot to enhance and problem her,” Jana stated. “She by no means backed down from a problem of any sort in any sport.
As Olivia prepares to maneuver to Norman and start her volleyball profession at Oklahoma, she realizes she has fulfilled her objective to guide.
She additionally proved to be a uncommon athlete, particularly on the small faculty degree. She helped the CHA develop into a powerhouse in lots of sports activities.
“I simply attempt to bear in mind how blessed I’m,” Olivia stated. “On the finish of the day I can get all of the awards and stuff but it surely's extra in regards to the influence I've had on folks to verify I'm enjoying for the suitable causes and probably not to win however extra to influence folks for the Lord kingdom.
“I pray that I can do it and other people can bear in mind and see the awards and what I've achieved, but in addition do not forget that I used to be greater than only a good athlete.”
