News

By Ryan Schlehuber, MCC Sportswriter

It was a sluggish offensive start which ultimately led to a loss in three sets that doomed Montcalm Community College Centurions women’s volleyball team against Bay College Monday, Sept. 15. 

The host Centurions (0-1 MCCAA Northern, 3-9 overall) came into their first conference matchup of the season on a high, having established a consistently high hitting percentage through this month. However, against the Norse (1-0 MCCAA Northern, 6-4 overall), MCC struggled offensively to gain any traction, losing 15-25, 15-25 and 25-27. 

“We went into this game thinking we were ready and prepared but it just wasn’t clicking,” Centurions’ head coach Kara Youngs said. “The first two sets, it was hard getting our offense going. Bay was making really good touches and keeping the ball alive. It was very challenging early.” 

Youngs said the Norse had played clean, not making many self-inflicted errors, which put the pressure on her team to find holes in their defense, which it could not. 

“Give credit to Bay,” Youngs said. “We swung really well but they just had really good touches. It was hard to get the ball down on their side.” 

The Centurions’ offense finally began clicking in the third set and went the distance with the Norse, going into extra play. However, it was too little too late, Youngs said. 

“I think the big thing for us is we don’t underestimate any teams we face,” she said. “This game challenged us more mentally, especially since we were hitting so well.” 

Sophomore defensive specialist Briley Andres (Cedar Springs, Mich.) believes MCC just ran into a good, balanced team that defended well against the Centurions’ hits. 

“I think Bay had a stronger offensive game,” said Andres, who finished with six digs. “They did a good job working around our block and finding ways to score while also putting up a really strong block against our hitters. That combination made it tough for us to get into a rhythm, offensively.” 

Youngs hopes her players learned when their opponent doesn’t make mistakes, it is up to them to find a way to score. Youngs, herself, learned something from the loss, as well, realizing afterwards she was more comfortable changing up her strategies as the game developed. 

“For me, I learned when I see something, I’m not afraid to make changes now. I’ve improved in that area,” the third-year coach said. “Making those different adjustments with your defensive lineup or stacking up players different, I’m not afraid to do that as the game progresses.” 

Sophomore middle blocker Katelyn Bignall (Belding, Mich.) finished with eight kills to lead the Centurions, while sophomore libero Jaden Gomez (White Cloud, Mich.) finished with a team-leading totals of 11 digs and a 0.250% hitting percentage. Sophomore Alanna Kent (Belding, Mich.) had seven kills and six digs and sophomore Jordan Dompreh (Flint, Mich.) finished with a team-leading 17 assists.  

Youngs is hoping the lessons from the Bay College loss will be quickly absorbed as the Centurions face another conference foe, Grand Rapids Community College (1-0 MCCAA Northern, 4-2 overall) on the road tonight at 6:30 p.m. 

“We’re excited to get the offense going again and try and get our numbers back up,” Youngs said. This will be a tough team who will challenge us with that. We are excited for the challenge, though.” 

Adjusting on the fly and keeping the opponent guessing will be key to MCC’s victory against GRCC tonight, according to Andres. 

“We need to adjust quicker by mixing up our shots and not being predictable at the net,” she said. “Keeping our serve receive solid will help us stay in system so our setters can spread the offense more.” 

One thing Youngs has seen improvement on with her team is communication, which Andres said her team must keep it up against the Raiders if they are to earn their first conference win. 

“We have to communicate and stay aggressive to work around the block and find open spots on the court,” she said.  

UP NEXT: MCC will travel to Great Lakes Christian College (1-7) for its next contest at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19. The Centurions will host another MCCAA Northern Conference rival, Alpena Community College (0-1 MCCAA Northern, 1-5 overall), Monday, Sept. 22, at 6:30 p.m., which will be Adopt-a-Family Night.