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SIDNEY — Sophomore libero Jocee Pleune is proving her second season with the Montcalm Community College volleyball team is one to remember after earning Michigan Community College Athletic Association Northern Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second consecutive week. 

The Grant native received the award for Oct. 27-Nov. 2 after helping power the Centurions to a 3-0 record during the week. Pleune collected 84 digs, averaging 6.46 digs per set, while posting a .923 receiving percentage. She also contributed eight service aces and eight assists. 

The honor comes one week after Pleune earned the same recognition for Oct. 20-26, when she totaled 80 digs and averaged 4.71 digs per set while helping Montcalm secure two victories.  

“I’m surprised but also happy that the hard work I’ve been putting in is paying off,” Pleune said of earning back-to-back awards. 

Pleune said a major factor in her recent success has been maintaining the right mindset throughout matches. 

“Something that has been going well for me is that I’ve been focusing on letting go of my mistakes and moving on to the next point so that I can be there for my team rather than dwelling on it,” she said. “Also just being a big encourager.” 

As the team's libero, Pleune serves as the anchor of Montcalm's back-row defense, a role she said requires consistency and trust from her teammates. 

“It means a lot to me and I feel honored,” Pleune said. “It shows individually that my teammates can trust me and that I will try my hardest to get them a good pass. For the team, it allows them to get a good offense going and put away the ball.” 

Centurions head coach Kara Youngs said Pleune's defensive instincts and work ethic have made her deserving of the recognition. 

“Jocee played a very strong defense this last week, earning back-to-back DPOWs,” Youngs said. “She reads extremely well and always covers her hitters to allow them to be confident in hitting with a block. She helps provide a stable defense for us to create an offense. She has worked hard all season, and she is very deserving of this award once again.” 

Pleune stepped into the libero role earlier this season and quickly became one of Montcalm's most reliable defenders. Her consecutive weekly honors underscore the impact she has made as the Centurions prepare for postseason play.