Volleyball Bangs Out!

Rich Schenck
Sports Editor

The first-place LCC volleyball team dispatched Jackson College at home 25-22, 23-25, 25-23, 25-20 on Oct. 15, then topped Kellogg CC 25-13, 25-19, 25-23 Oct. 20 on the road.

The wins improved the Stars' record to 9-2 in the MCCAA Western Conference and to 20-11 overall.

"We had some aspects of our game that we definitely struggled with," said LCC Head Coach Emily Quintero. "But in the end they pulled it out."

Only two games separate the first-place team from the fourth in the MCCAA Western Conference. LCC is tied with Muskegon (9-2 MCCAA West, 19-12 overall). Grand Rapids CC (8-3 MCCAA West, 15-9 overall) is only one game behind.

LCC has won three straight against conference foes since its first home loss Oct. 8 against Grand Rapids CC.

"I think it was a gut check for us," LCC sophomore Karen Sidge said of the loss. "We were hoping for the victory but at the same time it made us learn from our mistakes."

Against Jackson College, LCC reached another turning point. The Stars found themselves down 17-10 in the second set.

"We had a few missed serves that I think hurt us a little bit," said Sidge. "They were scrappy so we had to pick up the game and play like we know how to."

Quintero's group tied the game 21-21, but in the end it was not enough as JCC handed LCC only its fifth lost set at home.

"We just needed to go back and execute," Quintero said.

LCC ran out to a 7-1 lead in the third set, aided by timely blocks and thunderous kills from the front line.

JCC managed to take a 16-14 lead, but a momentum stopping kill by LCC sophomore Dayjah Stewart drew the score 17-17. LCC never looked back for the rest of the night.

LCC has only three games left, including its last home game Tuesday, Oct. 27 against Muskegon CC. The Lady Stars will put their 8-1 home record and 9-2 conference record on the line.

Quintero said she recognizes the importance of tough wins against conference teams late in the season with the standings tight at the top.

"It's huge for us," Quintero said.

Photo provided by Kevin Fowler/LCC Photographer