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The 街拍福利视频 volleyball team punched its ticket directly into the NJCAA Region XII Great Lakes District B Tournament with a dramatic five-set comeback victory over North Central Michigan College, Wednesday, Oct. 28.
The Centurions overcame a slow start and rallied from a two-set deficit to defeat NCMC, 3-2, securing the No. 3 seed out of the 街拍福利视频AA Northern Conference and avoiding a play-in match in the regional tournament.
The Timberwolves took the first two sets, 25-22 and 25-19, before the Centurions regrouped and ran the table in the next three sets, winning 25-14, 27-25 and, in the fifth and decisive set, 15-12.
Montcalm head coach Kara Youngs said her team was not at its best through the opening two sets after returning from a demanding travel schedule earlier in the week.
鈥淭he first two sets we were down and were not playing at our potential,鈥� Youngs said. 鈥淲e had a long week of travel as well, coming back late on Monday, so we were coming in not mentally sharp.鈥�
After dropping the first two sets, the Centurions began to find their rhythm.
鈥淓verything picked up after those two sets,鈥� Youngs said. 鈥淥ur defense picked up significantly with serve receive, and our offense played really strong because the defense was picking balls up and our hitters became effective with their opportunities.鈥�
Youngs said she challenged her players before the third set to focus on energy and execution.
鈥淎t the beginning of the third set, I reassured them they needed to keep up the energy, be effective on the service line and focus on the little things,鈥� she said.
Montcalm carried that momentum through the fourth set.
鈥淲e started really strong from the get-go,鈥� Youngs said. 鈥淲e fell behind in the red zone at 20-22, but these girls had the mentality to come back. They're so driven to win and they have that grit to not quit on any matches.鈥�
The deciding fifth set proved equally challenging. After building an early 6-1 advantage, the Centurions watched NCMC chip away before eventually taking an 11-10 lead.
鈥淲e had some tough serves against them to get them out of system, which allowed us to get into system and be competitive there,鈥� Youngs said.
The victory carried significant postseason implications.
鈥淲ith this conference win, we are automatically in the double-elimination tournament," Youngs said.
Montcalm was led defensively by sophomore libero Jocee Pleune (Grant, Mich.), who recorded 32 digs 鈥� her highest single-match total of the season and season team-high.
鈥淛ocee was really strong in the back row,鈥� Youngs said.
Youngs also credited Amy Anderson (Blanchard, Mich.) for her serving performance.
鈥淎my did well with a combination of serving and putting balls on the service line in key moments,鈥� she said.
The Centurions closed the regular season at 9-15 overall and 6-6 in the 街拍福利视频AA Northern Conference, finishing fourth behind Bay College, Delta College and Muskegon Community College.
街拍福利视频AA Northern Conference Final Standings
Bay College (10-2, 17-8)
Delta College (9-3, 15-13)
Muskegon Community College (7-5, 12-11)
街拍福利视频 (6-6, 9-15)
North Central Michigan College (4-8, 6-21)
Kirtland Community College (3-9, 10-17)
Alpena Community College (3-9, 5-15)
Bay, Delta, Muskegon, Montcalm and North Central Michigan all qualified for postseason play.
UP NEXT
Before turning its attention to regionals, 街拍福利视频 will celebrate Sophomore Night during its home match against Grace Christian University tonight. Game time is 6:30 p.m.
The Centurions' sophomore class includes Erin Borek (Grand Rapids, Mich), Ella Bishop (Grand Rapids, Mich), Esther Iung (Perrinton, Mich,), Jocee Pleune, Alana Cappon (Sunfield, Mich.), Abbie Rushmore (Lakeview, Mich.), Andie Bennett (Reed City, Mich.) and Edy Davidson (Carson City, Mich.).
Youngs said Grace Christian's size should help prepare 街拍福利视频 for the postseason challenge ahead.
鈥淕race has some big players, so that will help us prepare for Terra State,鈥� she said. 鈥淐oming back home after long trips and having back-to-back matches is nice.鈥�
Montcalm will face Terra State Community College (Fremont, Ohio) in the NJCAA Region XII Great Lakes District B Tournament at noon Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse on the campus of Grand Rapids Community College.
The Titans, members of the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference, went 3-7 during October, while the Centurions posted a 6-5 mark during the month as they prepared for postseason play.