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The Montcalm Community College Centurions women’s volleyball team lost 3-1 to Schoolcraft College Aug. 27. However, the script could have easily gone the other way. 

Still looking for their first win of the season, the Centurions came into the road game with the mindset of improving their offense. Head coach Kara Youngs said her team’s offense was better but still has work to do with consistency and finishing. 

“Our offense was going really strong early and we were getting really good kills,” Youngs said. “All the matches were really tight and really great, but we came up short.” 

Each set was a close battle to the last point with Schoolcraft winning the series, 25-23, 25-21, 24-26, and 28-26.  

The Ocelots (3-2 overall), members of the MCCAA Eastern Division, came into the matchup having beaten Delta College, 3-2, while MCC (0-5 overall), in the MCCAA North Division, was seeking its first win of the season.  

Youngs said the Centurions performed well defensively throughout the Opening Weekend Tournament in Rockford, Illinois, last week, however, they needed to balance their game with a better offense. Against Schoolcraft, two areas of their offense made the difference between a win and a loss in each set. 

“We needed to be better during the red zone — when points are between 20 and 25 — and we also missed some serves during those last few points that hurt us,” Youngs said.  

In the first two sets, the Centurions were up big, leading 10-3 in the first set and 21-12 in the second. But both times, the Ocelots came back to steal the win. 

“We put up a really good fight during the first set against Schoolcraft and started off with a good lead,” freshman outside hitter Ayanna Sanders (Caledonia, Mich.) said. “However, the main thing we could have done a little better would just be keeping that same fighting mentality we brought in the first set all throughout the next sets. I believe that would have definitely given us a good advantage by picking up our want-to-win mentality overall.” 

Youngs said her team is learning when to be aggressive during red zone plays and when to be sure the ball just gets over the net, pointing out she wants her team to be aggressive offensively to keep the opponent “out of their system.” She said her team must also make plays during crucial points. 

 “You want to get teams out of their system because it’s better for your offense,” she said. “So we want to serve tough, but we also need to be efficient with it. We’re learning that during crucial plays, maybe we try to get some serves over before being more aggressive right away, which increases the chance of missed serves.” 

Spirits stayed high despite the loss, and Youngs said her players are eager to get back into competition to work on continuing to improve. 

“They knew we were working on some things as we played,” Youngs said. “We’re being mindful of our growth. They were a little frustrated with falling short, but they’re also excited to get back to work and show improvements within each match like they know they can.” 

Sanders liked how she and her teammates connected during the game, which, she said, was much better than during the Illinois tournament. 

“That team chemistry definitely translated on the court when it came to our setter-hitter connection,” she said. “Even our back row would constantly be communicating and helping each other out to get those short balls or even the ones all the way in those deep corners.” 

Sanders believes the strength of the Centurions team right now is the players’ energy, which was on display during the Schoolcraft game, both on the court and on the sidelines. 

“When it was up in our game Thursday, it was very noticeable and infectious,” she said. “When we bring that energy, it sets a very encouraging and comfortable play setting for those on the court who are having to play in those stressful point-to-point moments.”  

Sanders’ nine kills were a season-high for an MCC player. She credits her teammates for that feat. 

“They really made the playing environment so much fun with all the cheers from the bench and on the court, leaving me to be more relaxed and excited to get up and hit,” Sanders said.  

Sophomore outside hitter and defensive specialist Erin Borek (Grand Rapids, Mich.) once again led the team in digs, racking up 21 against Schoolcraft. Borek is ranked second statewide so far in that category.  

Youngs was impressed with both players’ output against Schoolcraft. 

“Erin is a vocal leader in the backcourt and very knowledgeable,” Youngs said. “She sees the game and is always a step ahead. She has helped the defense make transitions during a match, too. She’s definitely doing what she’s supposed to be doing but she’s bringing in another element to her game.” 

Youngs said Borek had been working hard to improve her serve-receive skills, which is noticeable so far this season. 

“She’s really doing well with that and has applied that this year even more than where it was at this time last year,” Youngs said. 

Youngs also likes what she sees in Sanders, who continues to improve her game. 

“She has a strong efficiency rate with kills, so she’s doing really well with that so far this season,” Youngs said. 

Freshman outside hitter and setter Amy Anderson (Blanchard, Mich.) finished with a team-high five service aces and freshman middle blocker Ava Flynn (Belding, Mich.) led the team in blocks with four.  

Currently, MCC is ranked fourth in overall offense in the MCCAA, 12th in overall defense and seventh in serve/receive.  

UP NEXT:

The Centurions have the rest of the week off and will continue their season on the road once again, this time traveling to Great Lake Christian College (1-1 overall) Tuesday, Sept. 8. Game time is 6 p.m.