News
SIDNEY — If there is one thing Kara Youngs learned from last season, it is that her Montcalm Community College Centurions women’s volleyball team isn’t going to be beaten by a lack of able-bodied players.
Youngs, heading into her fourth season as the Centurions’ head coach, weathered the storm of trying to overcome one major injury after another last season. MCC finished short of its goal, which was to return to postseason play in the NJCAA Region XII District Tournament, finishing 6-19 overall and 1-11 in the MCCAA Northern Conference.
Though it was a setback, Youngs learned from it and hit the recruiting trail hard this offseason. The result was hauling in a freshman class of nine players, which she will combine with eight returning players from last season.
“We were trying to get it to where the team was balanced with numbers,” Youngs said of her freshman class. “Being a new program, it took a couple years to balance the team out. This year, we were trying to find the positions we needed but also add extra key players for more depth.”
The freshman class includes:
Defensive specialist Irelynn Pachulski, of Saranac, Michigan
Defensive specialist Grace Goodwin, of Westphalia, Michigan
Outside hitter Aubrie Uebele, of Greenville, Michigan
Outside hitter Lyric Quarles, of Durham, North Carolina
Defensive specialist Graicen Knox, of Bay City, Michigan
Middle blocker Rylee Mooney, of Belding, Michigan
Outside hitter Ayanna Sanders, of Caledonia, Michigan
Middle blocker Ava Flynn, of Belding, Michigan
Outside hitter/setter Amy Anderson, of Blanchard, Michigan
Youngs lost five starters from last year’s team to graduation, including Jaden Gomez (White Cloud, Mich.), who was an All-MCCAA Team player and two-time defensive player of the week. The loss of last year’s sophomores also almost gutted the entire back row, not to mention having lost all the experience and leadership they had together.
Despite that, this season’s team returns a corps of sophomores who Youngs believes can step up to the challenge of not only filling in the vacant starting positions but taking on a leadership role, as well, in one way or another.
“I think we have a lot of depth and versatility now, and that will be big for us this season,” Youngs said. “Our sophomores did well with progress over the summer and I think they’ll do well with the new freshmen. The one thing about losing those five sophomores from last season is that we have more returning players with good experience themselves.”
One of those sophomores is outside hitter and defensive specialist Erin Borek (Grand Rapids, Mich.), who played in all 25 matches for the Centurions last season, ranking first on the team with 49 service aces and second in digs with 237.
Borek said she is most excited to get back on the court with her teammates to see how they can push themselves to new levels this season. In order to do that, she knows she has to step up her game and her leadership skills.
“Last season taught me the importance of staying focused under pressure,” she said. “I’ll definitely bring that mindset into this season. As one of the ‘seniors’ and captains of the team, I’m focusing on leading by example and helping guide the younger players with encouragement and advice.”
The team sports three setters — sophomore Ella Bishop (Grand Rapids, Mich.), who played a big role last year, sophomore Abbie Rushmore (Lakeview, Mich.) and freshman Amy Anderson. Youngs said with having three solid setters, especially two with collegiate experience, her team strategy this year is much more flexible, especially with everyone healthy.
“They give me the option to run a 5-1, a more defensive set, or a 6-2, a more offensive set,” Youngs said. “With our numbers, we can make those adjustments more frequently and easier now.”
Youngs said because of the number of injuries the team suffered throughout last season, it forced her to continuously adjust strategies on the court, which didn’t allow the players to get comfortable and settled in. She is hoping, with a larger group, any adjustments will be minor.
The Centurions will start their new season on the road, competing in an opening weekend tournament in Rockford, Illinois, Aug. 22-23, facing Rochester Community and Technical College, Highland Community College (Illinois), Northeast Community College and McHenry County College.
Youngs is looking for her team to start out the season strong, with the key strategy being to flex a strong offensive attack.
“I want to see us getting that mentality of being confident when we’re up and finishing strong, and, when we’re down, having the confidence to fight back and earn the win,” Youngs said. “We have a lot of heavy hitters, a lot of strong arms. You’re going to see a lot of good things from players like Alana Cappon (Sunfield, Mich.) and Aubrie (Uebele). Rylee Mooney will also play a big part. We’re going to see a lot from everybody.”
Borek believes it is crucial for her team to establish a strong work ethic and continuously communicate with one another early on.
“If we stay disciplined and communicate well, then it will be a successful season,” Borek said.
Having started 0-7 at the beginning of last season, the Centurions were never able to recover. Thus, Youngs said it is important for this year’s team to have a good start.
“We’re hungry to get back to the regionals so we want to finish strong. But you have to start strong, too,” Youngs said. “In order to do that, you have to play consistently, be strong from the get-go. Each team gets stronger as the season goes so we have to be on our game in every game.”
MCC begins conference play with four consecutive road games, starting with Schoolcraft College (5 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 27), then Great Lakes Christian College (Sept. 8), Muskegon Community College (Sept. 14) and Delta College (Sept. 16).
The Centurions’ home opener will be against Owens Community College on Friday, Sept. 18. Game time is 6:30 p.m.
According to Youngs, the hardest part of the Centurions’ schedule this season is in October, the last month of the season, which the team plays 10 games, with the last four on the road.
“That will be a mental and physical challenge for us,” Youngs said.