Spikers show resilience against Kalamazoo Valley CC

By Brodee Gillam

Sports Editor

Being versatile on the volleyball court; it is a critical part of what LCC Head Coach Emily Quintero said she wanted out of her team this season.

The Stars proved their versatility in the victory against Kalamazoo CC on Tuesday, Sept. 19. Even with  starting middle hitter sophomore Kaycee Richmond injuring her ankle during the match, LCC still won 25-16, 25-22, 25-7.

This win improved the Stars record to 7-5 overall and to 4-4 in the MCCAA West.

Quintero said the resiliency her team showed after the injury says a lot about this squad.

"We had Kaycee go down and hurt her ankle and, without any blink of an eye, we were able to transition someone in that doesn't typically play that position," Quintero said. "(After that) we flourished and we pulled out a victory in three."

The team has also shown a gritty, grind-it-out attitude, forcing long rallies and 27-25 games. Freshman captain Silvia Strieff said that comes from her, and fellow captain sophomore McKenzie Kench, and their powerful voices on the court.

"We're really loud; (that attitude) does come from us," Strieff said. "(Coach) put us as leaders … because we can connect with every single person. (We) can get a rise out of everybody."

As a team that is only 7-5, there are still things that the Stars need to improve on.

Quintero said serving consistency is one of the crucial elements that needs tweaking.

"We are a very strong serving team," Quintero said. "That's also part of our weakness because we push so hard to be a strong serving (team), we make errors.

"So we have to work on eliminating our serving errors, but when we get them in, they're tough serves to receive and that becomes our strength."

LCC is scheduled to play next on Tuesday, Sept. 26, at Grand Rapids Community College at 6:30 p.m.