This story is part of the USMC/AVCA Battles Won Award series. This new award recognizes volleyball players and coaches who are overcoming obstacles, both on and off the court.
Ally Coyle, Ohio Christian Women’s Volleyball Coach
In February of 2022, Ally was pregnant with her second child. As delivery started, there were complications, and their little boy, Brycen, didn’t make it.
Can you provide an overview of what happened?
“I was pregnant during the 2022 volleyball season and due in February 2023. I finally went into labor on February 20, and everything was fine. During labor they continued to check me and my baby boy many times. I had made it through multiple checks, and everything was fine.”
“It was time for our next check and, at that point, our midwife was struggling to find his heartbeat, so we immediately went to the hospital. After multiple doctors and nurses coming into the room no one could find his heartbeat.”
“Our baby boy… didn’t make it.”
“I got admitted and delivered Brycen Matthew Coyle on February 21, 2023. We stayed in the hospital for two days for me to recover, and we were able to see and hold Brycen. It was two days of hell, but it was also two days that I cherish because I got to be with him.”
“There is a song ‘Gratitude’ by Brandon Lake that has a lyric: ‘You’ve got a lion inside of those lungs, get up and praise the Lord.’ That has been a big part of our story, and it kept coming to mind throughout this entire process: during pregnancy, 24/7 while we were in the hospital, and at his funeral. It continues to resonate, and I know even in those moments that we are at our lowest, God is still faithful and worthy to be praised.”
How did your team respond to this?
“Before we had told the world what happened, I wanted to tell my team. After I was out of the hospital, I shared the news with them, and they were all heartbroken. They loved on me and my family, they prayed over us, and they shed tears for us. They encouraged me and were definitely there for me in ways I can’t begin to explain.”
“In our program we are passionate about service projects, and we get involved with the community at least once a month to serve. When our family was at the hospital, a chaplin brought in a stuffed bear from a foundation called Caring Tender Angels. It’s something that seemed so silly at the time but exactly what I needed as the hours and days went bye that I wouldn’t be able to hold my baby boy. After getting home from the hospital, I knew immediately that I wanted to donate back to this foundation and get involved. And, of course, the team wanted to get help as well.”
“Within a week we were able to raise money for over 300 bears that would be donated in memory of Brycen. A couple days before the funeral my team and family all got together and we tagged and prayed over those bears. For me it was such a humbling experience to see young women who were willing to show up and serve but also who loved me, my family and my boys.”
Who are some of the other people that helped you?
“God, number one—then my husband, Dylan. My husband not only has been my rock in this situation but has also been a constant support and encouragement to me. He consistently shows up every day to walk by my side through this journey.”
“My son Carter has helped a lot. Being able to be his mom brings me so much joy and knowing his heart and the way that he loves; there’s just nothing like it. My parents, and my little sister and brother-in-law have stepped up in ways that I can’t even explain.”
“And, our community as a whole. Our family, friends, church family, co-workers, my athletic family at OCU, and my team have all been there for us, and I am so thankful for the community God has surrounded us with.”
What do you take away from all of this?
“For me, it’s just been a journey of learning how to deal with something that completely wrecked my world and is still so difficult. But I’ve found that God has been faithful, is faithful, and will continue to be faithful. We can’t say that God is good when everything is easy and then not say it when everything is falling apart. He has given me an opportunity to lean into Him and provided a strength that I know only comes from Him.”
“The song ‘Gratitude’ talks about a lion, which has been a symbol of Brycen for us. Lions keep popping up everywhere—on clothes, my teams’ volleyball shoes, random things throughout the day and more. I know that I have a lion inside of my lungs and that God can use Brycen’s story. So, at the end of the day, no matter what I’m walking through, I’m going to praise the Lord.”
Check out stories of other Battles Won Award nominees
