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SIDNEY 鈥� If there is one thing Kara Youngs learned from last season, it is that her 街拍福利视频 Centurions women鈥檚 volleyball team isn鈥檛 going to be beaten by a lack of able-bodied players.
Youngs, heading into her fourth season as the Centurions鈥� head coach, weathered the storm of trying to overcome one major injury after another last season. 街拍福利视频 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 街拍福利视频AA 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.
鈥淲e were trying to get it to where the team was balanced with numbers,鈥� Youngs said of her freshman class. 鈥淏eing 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.鈥�
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鈥檚 team to graduation, including Jaden Gomez (White Cloud, Mich.), who was an All-街拍福利视频AA Team player and two-time defensive player of the week. The loss of last year鈥檚 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鈥檚 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.
鈥淚 think we have a lot of depth and versatility now, and that will be big for us this season,鈥� Youngs said. 鈥淥ur sophomores did well with progress over the summer and I think they鈥檒l 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.鈥�
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.
鈥淟ast season taught me the importance of staying focused under pressure,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檒l definitely bring that mindset into this season. As one of the 鈥榮eniors鈥� and captains of the team, I鈥檓 focusing on leading by example and helping guide the younger players with encouragement and advice.鈥�
The team sports three setters 鈥� 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.
鈥淭hey give me the option to run a 5-1, a more defensive set, or a 6-2, a more offensive set,鈥� Youngs said. 鈥淲ith our numbers, we can make those adjustments more frequently and easier now.鈥�
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鈥檛 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.
鈥淚 want to see us getting that mentality of being confident when we鈥檙e up and finishing strong, and, when we鈥檙e down, having the confidence to fight back and earn the win,鈥� Youngs said. 鈥淲e have a lot of heavy hitters, a lot of strong arms. You鈥檙e 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鈥檙e going to see a lot from everybody.鈥�
Borek believes it is crucial for her team to establish a strong work ethic and continuously communicate with one another early on.
鈥淚f we stay disciplined and communicate well, then it will be a successful season,鈥� 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鈥檚 team to have a good start.
鈥淲e鈥檙e hungry to get back to the regionals so we want to finish strong. But you have to start strong, too,鈥� Youngs said. 鈥淚n 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.鈥�
街拍福利视频 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鈥� 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鈥� 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.
鈥淭hat will be a mental and physical challenge for us,鈥� Youngs said.