V-ball teams set to make their moves

By Lisa Paine
Posted Thursday, August 21, 2008

 E-mail this page    Printer-friendly page

By Lisa Paine
VIEW Sports Editor

GENESEE COUNTY — Tough schedules, determination to win and the unknown makeup of each opponent’s team has set the table for an exciting volleyball season across the area.

GRAND BLANC
The Volleycats have set lofty, but attainable expectations with a target not on their backs, but rather on their arch-rival Flushing’s jerseys. Last season’s second-place finish to the Raiders left a bitter taste in Grand Blanc’s mouth, and they look to end up on top this season. Coach Shannon Cumming says the girls won’t be satisfied with anything but wins this season as they begin the fight for the coveted Big Nine title.

After an 8-2 Big Nine, 36-10-2 last season, the team has the talent and drive to get it done. Although the squad lost Renae Hiber, Megan Dixon and Sara Summerset, a talented quintet in Emily Caldwell, Arius Seay, Sara Hayes, Emily Rodriguez and Rachel Sczepanski are ready to lead the charge.

“This is my fifth season and I just love coaching at the school and the great student athletes who work so hard,” Cumming said. “They work hard every day and are very determined. We are playing better defense and have several girls that are stepping up at the net.”

Although she always expects the girls to win every match, reaching number two in the Conference the past two years leaves one unanswered goal that the entire team hopes it can accomplish. Continued success in the postseason that took them into regional play is also an underlined item on the list.

“As always, I expect to win. But we will take every day and use it to its fullest and continue to get better and better as the season moves on. Our main goal is to get good enough, through practice and tough tournaments, to continue playing in the state tournament. We have a very tough schedule this year, with Grand Haven and North Branch, not to mention our home tournament; all are going to be very competitive.”

The Big Nine is down to five schools after Flint Kearsley entered the Flint Metro League starting this fall, but it’s still a very competitive one in volleyball.

“Flushing has a great program and I am sure will be back again ready to compete at a top level,” Cumming noted.

GOODRICH
Second year coach Robyn Batterbee continues to mold a young team that gained valuable experience last year as it started anew after losing most of its starting lineup from the 2006 season. The squad posted a second-place finish (9-4, 27-21-7) in the tough Genesee Area Conference-Red division that featured Mt. Morris at the top.

With eight seniors that include Nikki McKerracher, China Blaker, Sarah Eisinger, Erica Main, Sam Gagnon and three juniors in Stephanie Coates, Emily Armstrong and Jenn Eisinger, this team is fit, ready to go and anxious to get their deep run into the postseason started.

“As long as we can stay healthy and injury free, they are ready to go and play with great excitement. They have played together for a long time and are so ready to get the season going Saturday at Battle Creek,” said Batterbee.

“I’d like to see us win some tournaments. We vied for districts last year, and didn’t get that far so we hope to go deep. The girls are looking to take it to the top, so the sky’s the limit for them this early in the season.”

Batterbee noted the strong outside and middle hitters who have greatly improved their vertical jumping and strong delivery.

“With that attitude and drive, we hope to fulfill the high expectations we have all set.