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By Ryan Schlehuber, ������Ƶ Sportswriter

After last year’s��NJCAA��tournament playoff experience, the Centurions came into this season hoping to build on that success.��

Despite a large��turnover of players,��with only five from last year’s team returning,��Centurions��head��coach��Kara��Youngs was��hopeful��the incoming talent of nine��freshmen��would be enough to get them back to the postseason. However, the team started out 0-7, starting the season out in a tough, competitive tournament in��Illinois.��

The Centurions, who finished 6-19 overall and 1-11 in the ������ƵAA Northern Conference,��began turning things around in September, going 5-5. However, injuries began plaguing the team��with��at least two of Youngs’ starters��going out for the season, which forced her team to make necessary adjustments the rest of the way.����

“Of course, our record wasn’t where we expected it to be, but a lot of lessons were learned throughout the��season��and we did well��making��adjustments and overcoming the injuries as best we could,” Youngs said. “After making those adjustments, our��big thing��was to focus on efficiency. Towards the end of the season,��I think we��had high efficiency.”��

Youngs said her��freshman��group did well, especially��freshman��Erin��Borek��(Grand Rapids, Mich.), who switched positions to fill the vacancy left by an injured player. She also complimented Ella Bishop (Grand Rapids, Mich.) who shared the setter position with��sophomore Jordan��Dompreh��(Flint, Mich.)��during the season.����

“Both girls stepped up in their own way. Erin became more vocal and was able to move to outside hitter without questioning it, and Ella stepped up in big moments for us,” Youngs said.����

Bishop said she loved the fight she saw on the team, especially after suffering the injuries that put them short-handed.��

“No matter what, our team always fought hard even through��the tough��situations,” she said. “We had to move a lot of people around, be put in different positions, which can be really challenging considering it’s so sudden and you’re never really prepared enough for a position you don’t play religiously.”��

Youngs enjoyed Team 3 and much of it was because of her��freshman��players not only bringing in��different styles��of play and��different characteristics, but they also managed to mesh with one another and the sophomores, as well.��

“We had so many players from different areas,��so��not only were we��learning��about��each other,��the players had��different��styles��that��were taught differently. Adapting��to��those��different styles��was the��big��thing,” Youngs said.��

Bishop��loved that the team had different personalities and she��got along��with her��freshman��teammates right from the start.��

“This year’s freshmen squad was so great,” she said. “I think Coach Youngs brought in a lot of��talent��and they came with such great personalities, as well. We all get along��great��and we all work together and push each other to make each other great.”��

Bishop, who plans to return next season, is looking forward to seeing the Centurions volleyball program take a big step next season.��

“I really want to win. We��didn’t��have a great record this year, but we have a lot of��fight,��energy��and��passion��for this sport,” she said. “We also have a huge support system that encourages us, which is amazing. With all of these, we can win. We just need to��utilize��the fight, the��energy��and the passion we have.”��

With��the��five sophomores��on the team this year, Youngs said each one played a big part in the development of not only this year’s team but also her program.��Two of her sophomores��—��Alanna Kent and Katelyn Bignall��—��she has coached for the past two years at ������Ƶ but also in Belding, where Youngs coached��both of them��as Belding��Black��Knights players��before��she was��hired at ������Ƶ.��

“I’ve��known those two since middle school��and,��now that��they’re��officially done, it��definitely feels��a little strange,” she said. “With all five of these girls, though, they were great for all��different��reasons,��and they will be missed. They were a strong part of our program.”��

Kent called this season an “intense battle with injuries,” saying much of the season was the team making necessary adjustments.����

“Given those things, the season was hard fought and each person put in their best fight for the game,” she said. “What made me most proud of this team was that every circumstance and challenge given to us, we all came together and played the game. Even if we��weren’t��winning it, it was a��hard-fought��game that we��didn’t��give up easily.”��

Kent offered advice for the soon-to-be sophomore teammates.����

“I’d say just to remember everyone is here for the same reason and not to take the opportunity for granted,” she said. “Put pride aside and play with intention. It��isn’t��always easy and��fun but��playing at this level is a huge achievement that not everyone receives. Lead with good attitudes and have fun.”��

Youngs will��begin off-season one-on-one season recaps with each of her players, see who from her��freshman��squad plan to return and will��focus on getting new recruits signed now that the signing period has opened (since Nov. 1). Despite not meeting the goals she had��set��for this season, Youngs is excited to reestablish those goals for next season.��

“Every year, I love where I coach and the community and school, whether it’s a bad or a good season,” Youngs said. “I��truly enjoy��coaching��this program. This is the place I like to be. The season may not have been what we want, but you learn as a coach too, taking those tough times and grow as a coach to help program in future, as well.”��