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The Montcalm Community College Centurions volleyball team delivered its most electric performance of the season Wednesday night, Oct. 14, earning a first-ever win against a conference rival. 

The Centurions (3-6 MCCAA Northern, 5-19 overall) defeated the Muskegon Community College Jayhawks (4-4 MCCAA Northern, 9-10 overall), outlasting the Jayhawks in a dramatic five‑set battle. The Centurions rallied from a 6‑2 deficit in the decisive fifth set to secure a 3‑2 victory (25‑23, 18‑25, 30‑28, 18‑25, 15‑12), marking one of the biggest wins in the young history of MCC volleyball. 

“This is the first time MCC has ever beaten Muskegon, so I think that’s an accomplishment in itself,” sophomore outside hitter Erin Borek said. “It just goes to show you what kind of team this is. We’re always ready to put up a fight.” 

A historic night, built point by point 

MCC opened the match with a strong first set, powered by early kills from freshman Ayanna Sanders (Caledonia, Mich.) and a string of tough serves from Borek (Grand Rapids, Mich.). The Centurions controlled much of the opener, winning 25‑23 behind a late-game kill from Sanders and Borek’s steadying presence at the net. 

Muskegon responded with a dominant second set, using a run of kills from Alissa Klopp and Jaelyn Laird to even the match, 1‑1. 

The third set became the turning point — and one of the most chaotic, high‑energy sets MCC has played all season. The teams traded long volleys, tight blocks and momentum swings before MCC finally closed out a marathon 30‑28 win.  

Sophomores Andie Bennett (Reed City, Mich.) and Edy Davidson (Carson City, Mich.) and freshman setter Amy Anderson (Lakeview, Mich.) all contributed key defensive plays, while Sanders and Borek delivered clutch kills during the red zone (when a team gets to 20 points). 

“That third set showed what our girls have to offer,” Centurions head coach Kara Youngs said. “We’ve gone through different rotations, and when you get girls coming off the bench to help in the moment, and the engagement from the bench — it’s huge.” 

Muskegon forced a fifth set with a 25‑18 win in the fourth, setting up a pressure‑filled finish. 

Refusing to fold 

The Jayhawks jumped ahead 6‑2 in the fifth set, threatening to steal back the momentum. But MCC responded with the kind of composure Youngs said the team didn’t have earlier in the season. 

“It shows how far our mental game has come in the last four weeks,” Youngs said. “Earlier in the season, we wouldn’t have been able to win a game like this mentally.” 

Borek, who moved from libero to outside hitter last week, delivered several crucial swings, while Sanders hammered home the kill that put MCC ahead, 13‑11. Anderson added a key tip, and sophomore Esther Iung (Perrinton, Michigan) served an ace that helped fuel the comeback. 

Youngs said Borek’s position change elevated the team. 

“Erin ran with that role,” Youngs said. “Her calmness and consistency really help. Even if she has errors, you don’t really notice them. Her maturity at that position put us on another level.” 

MCC closed out the match, 15‑12, after Anderson tipped the final ball into open space, sealing the historic win. 

A milestone for a growing program 

Youngs said the victory is more than just a single match — it’s a sign of where MCC volleyball is headed. 

“This win keeps building the confidence we need,” she said. “It’s a big milestone toward our end goal of getting into regionals. It shows we can do it.” 

Borek said the team’s mindset before the fifth set was simple. 

“They’re in our house; this is our community,” she said. “We told ourselves let’s go out there and do what we need to do to get it done.” 

After the final point, the Centurions celebrated the well-deserved win. 

“This feels great,” Borek said. “We’re going to go celebrate in the locker room.” 

MCC has now won back-to-back home games, beating Great Lakes Christian College, 3-0, last Monday.  

With the milestone win against the Jayhawks, Youngs said the team will enjoy the moment — briefly. 

“We’re going to enjoy this tonight,” she said. “But tomorrow is a new day, and Monday is a new opponent. We need to keep going after what we’ve been practicing and be ready for the next game.” 

UP NEXT 

The Centurions will host Bay College Monday, Oct. 19. MCC will look for another milestone against the Norse — a season sweep, having defeated them, 3-2, in Escanaba, Sept. 28. Game time is 6:30 p.m. 

This will be MCC’s Pink Out game, which is a campaign for cancer awareness.