Volleyball Stars need aggression to end season
By Brodee Gillam
Sports Editor
The LCC volleyball team lost to the 20th-ranked Grand Rapids CC, 25-17, 25-19, 25-21 at home on Oct. 4.
The loss dropped the Stars' record to 6-4 in the MCCAA West, and to 10-15 overall. The Stars remained third in the division behind Grand Rapids and Muskegon.
LCC sophomore defensive specialist Rachel Cook said she felt the team wasn't all there for the first game against the Raiders.
"We were kind of intimidated," Cook said. "We know them as a team and in the past, they are usually number one (in the conference) with Muskegon. We just started slow; we didn't show up."
The Stars' went on a five-game winning streak from Sept. 20 to 29, with sophomore hitter Delaney Thompson averaging four digs and seven kills per game in that span.
Thompson said the team's 2-3 record after the win streak stems from the amount of games it has played recently.
"We have had 12 days of straight volleyball," Thompson said. "We're all burning out, it's a mental thing and we're all frazzled right now."
Freshman setter Brianna Mohn is getting more playing time recently, and Thompson said it isn't a fluke.
"We're really proud of her for being (ready to play)," Thompson said. "She's scrappy, she gets every single ball."
Cook, who averaged nearly 32 assists per game during the five-game winning streak, said she agrees with Thompson.
"(Mohn) been doing awesome in right-back," Cook said. "Before she was putting (freshman) Lee Anne (McDonald) at libero and (sophomore) Alyssa (Hill) at right-back … Bri has showed up every single game at right-back. She's super scrappy, she dives and she's good at digging."
Thompson said the team needs to be more aggressive to close out the season.
"Our main worry is urgency and consistency," Thompson said. "Not relaxing and being relentless and putting the ball down … We need to want to put (the ball) down."
The Stars were scheduled to play against division rival Muskegon Community College, in Muskegon, on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 5:30 p.m.