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By overcoming an opening-set loss and rallying from a six-point deficit late in the fourth set, Montcalm Community College not only secured a 3-1 victory over MCCAA Northern Conference rival Kirtland Community College Wednesday, Oct. 21, but also recorded the most conference wins in a season in program history. 

The Centurions dropped the first set, 28-26, to the Firebirds before responding with wins of 26-24, 25-20 and 25-23 to improve to 4-6 in conference play. According to head coach Kara Youngs, the victory gave MCC its fourth conference win of the season, surpassing the program's previous high of three conference victories. 

The victory moved the Centurions into fourth place in the MCCAA Northern Conference standings.  

The match featured momentum swings throughout, particularly in the opening two sets. 

Kirtland outlasted MCC in the opener, pulling away in extra points after the teams were tied at 24 and 26. Despite the loss, MCC showed signs of resilience behind strong serving from sophomore Erin Borek (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and key offensive contributions from freshmen Ayanna Sanders (Caledonia, Mich.) and Amy Anderson (Blanchard, Mich.). 

That resilience surfaced fully in the second set. 

After falling behind 4-0 early, the Centurions stormed back thanks to a dominant service run by Irelynn Pachulski (Saranac, Mich.). Pachulski delivered five aces during the stretch as MCC turned the deficit into a 9-6 lead and seized control of the set. 

Kirtland repeatedly battled back, tying the score at 24-24 late, but MCC closed the set on a Kirtland attacking error to even the match at one set apiece. 

The third set featured another challenge for the Centurions. Kirtland used the powerful serving and attacking of Kerstyn Howard to build a 10-7 advantage. But MCC answered with a 5-0 run highlighted by an ace from Aubrie Uebele (Greenville, Mich.), an Edy Davidson (Carson City, Mich.) kill and another Kirtland error. 

From there, MCC's defense at the net became a difference-maker. Uebele and her teammates repeatedly slowed Kirtland's attack with blocks before the Centurions closed the set on consecutive kills from Sanders and a final block to claim a 2-1 match lead. 

Youngs said improved defensive positioning helped MCC regain momentum after Kirtland enjoyed success running its offense early. 

“We were playing out of system at one point, and they were in system, playing really clean,” Youngs said. “That earned them a lot of points and let them run a good offense that we just got stuck on our heels with. We were then able to push them out a little bit by setting our defense better. That made a big shift because it put us in better opportunities to run our offense better.” 

The final set provided the night's biggest test. 

Kirtland raced to a 10-4 advantage and still led 19-13 late. Rather than fold, MCC mounted one final comeback. 

Consecutive aces from Uebele helped spark the rally, and the Centurions gradually chipped away at the deficit before drawing even at 22-22. A kill from Lyric Quarles (Durham, N.C.) gave MCC a 23-22 lead, and after the teams traded points, the Centurions sealed the victory when Kirtland failed to return a ball on its second contact. 

Youngs credited her team's growing confidence and depth for helping fuel the comeback. 

“We fell behind but we just made a couple good plays to get back into it,” Youngs said. “We were down 19-13 at one point. We've faced that time and time again, and I think we were able to build that confidence to be able to come back. 

“We made a couple adjustments and brought some players from the bench and were able to utilize those tools, which has benefitted us this season,” she added. 

Uebele played a major role throughout the match after recently moving from outside hitter to the middle. 

“She’s so fiery,” Youngs said. “She started outside, but we moved her to the middle because she just has so much energy. She jumps so high, too, and was able to get some big blocks. She was able to put a lot of pressure on all three of their big hitters.” 

For Uebele, the victory served as an important response after MCC was swept by Bay College at home two days earlier. 

“I think we let ourselves get too comfortable against Bay,” Uebele said. “Against Kirtland, we all have a very big drive to win, and, for some reason, we like the pressure of having to come back.” 

Uebele said against Kirtland, she and her teammates fed off each other’s energy. 

“Once one person gets going, we all just start to get really into it, get back into the game and get really hyped, rooting each other on,” she said. 

Uebele said the team has embraced her transition to middle hitter and believes the group continues to grow together. 

“I just wanted to play, so I was fine with coach Youngs moving me to middle,” she said. “We all work with each other very well, so I think we were all fine with the change. We were able to adapt well.” 

The Centurions now turn their attention to a busy stretch of travel, beginning with Friday's match against Grace Christian University before competing in the Skippers Tri-Meet against St. Clair County Community College and Kellogg Community College this Saturday at SC4 Fieldhouse in St. Clair, Michigan. 

Youngs said the upcoming non-conference matches will be important preparation before MCC returns to league action. 

“Our next two conference games are crucial,” Youngs said. “Right now, we're fighting to get into fourth and fifth place in order to qualify for regionals, so it's very important to get those wins.” 

MCC entered the night tied in a crowded race for postseason positioning. Following Wednesday’s victory, the Centurions sit ahead of Kirtland (4-6) and trail Muskegon (5-5), Delta (9-3) and Bay (8-2) in the Northern Conference standings.