Volleyballers end home season perfect

By Michael Leek
Sports Editor

The LCC volleyball team played its last home match of the season on “Sophomore Night,” Tuesday, Oct. 24 in the Gannon Building gym at LCC.

LCC beat Marian University Ancilla 3-0, sweeping this rival for the second time this season. The Stars won the first game 25-9, the second game 25-5, and the third 25-11.

The win moved the Stars’ record to 25-2 and their conference record to 10-1. They also finished the season undefeated at home with a record of 10-0.

Offense and defense were both strong points in the Stars match vs. Ancilla as they dominated in all categories.

Sophomore Alex Widner led LCC offensively with 10 kills. Sophomore Danika Fyan and freshman Anna Hoch had great offensive games as well with eight kills each.

Sophomore Macey Beyerlein led defensively with 10 digs, while sophomore Lorna Strieff and freshman Karsyn Near followed with six digs.

The LCC volleyball team huddles up prior to their match vs. Marian University Ancilla on Oct. 24 in the Gannon Gym. The Stars finished with a perfect 10-0 record at home.  Photo by Kaitlyn Delaney

Although this was the Stars’ last home match for the season, LCC Head Coach Emily Quintero is still looking forward to the action to come.

“It’s kind of bittersweet because I know it’s my last home game with my sophomores and they’ve been pretty special, but I know we got a lot of game left in us,” Quintero said. “If we win Thursday (Oct. 26), we’ll be playing for states on Saturday.”

Beyerlein also said the feeling is bittersweet because this will be her last season playing volleyball.

“I’m happy we’re going out the way we are, but I’m going to miss the energy and our fans the most about playing in Gannon,” Beyerlein said.

As emotions were high in the gym for the sophomores' last game, sophomore Ellie Robinson had a different attitude toward the night.

“We played at Don Johnson Fieldhouse all year last year, so we really did not play that much at the Gannon,” Robinson said. “It wasn’t that sad because we have a lot more games left, but it was a good feeling to have a good last game at home.”

The Stars play their next match on Thursday, Oct. 26 on the road against Lake Michigan College. The winner of that match will be the first seed for the division and play in the state tournament on Saturday.

Districts will follow the state tournament, and the team’s anticipation and expectations for districts are very high.

“With us getting a high seed, it will give a pretty nice path for districts, so really high expectations to come out on top for that,” Quintero said.

Beyerlein said she is looking forward to strong competition in districts and said the Stars should do well.

“It will be a good challenge for us to play some better competition and really see what we can do as a team when it matters most,” Beyerlein said.