COLUMN: Volleyball team finally playing to full potential
It has been a complete turnaround for Central Michigan University’s volleyball team. Remember that 0-6 start? Remember everyone questioning the Chippewas’ abilities? Neither do I.
This is the squad we had been waiting on all along. The team that had so much potential but just couldn’t put it together.
All it took was getting that first win under their belt against Evansville. After capturing that elusive first victory, the Chippewas were able to focus on playing instead of worrying about their record.
Since that first victory, it’s been a different narrative.
CMU stands 7-9, which is impressive considering the horrible start to the 2014 campaign. The women have won seven of their last 10 games refusing to let this season go.
They have shown grit and toughness to be where they are right now and it seems like it’s only going to get better.
CMU erased all doubt of who we thought they were when the season kicked off. I’m not ashamed to say that they have turned me into a believer. Neither should you.
The scary thing is that CMU still has tons of room for improvement. As a matter of fact, it’s frightening to think that the women have just scratched the surface of their potential.
Freshmen Kylie Copple and Jordan Beuter are playing like upperclassmen and senior Kaitlyn McIntyre is finally looking like the dominant all Mid-American Conference player she’s known to be.
Kirsten Reenders, Angelique White and Kalle Mulford are powering the defense and the future looks very bright for the Chippewas.
The women aren’t going through the motions anymore. The Chippewas had moments where they seemed as if they weren’t sure of how good they were. They looked dysfunctional.
The Chippewas have a big test coming up against arch rival Western Michigan University. After losing to another MAC power Ohio University earlier in the season, the women have another chance to see where they stand against another of the conference’s elites when the Broncos come to town.
It’s almost feels like that classic movie script, where the team starts off slow and no one believes in them. Then out of nowhere, they pull it together at the right time, and end up where no one thought they would be.
That could very well be the Chippewas this season.
