By John Raffel
Belding volleyball
Mikayla Linebaugh is the coach of a Belding volleyball team that has been tough to beat.
As of mid October, the Redskins were 25-1-1.
“We didn’t lose anybody from last year, so we have that experience of everyone playing together and everyone knows their role,” Linebaugh said. “Instead of being a young team, we’re finally the older team, and I think that’s a lot to do with it, too. We had a couple of years to play together.”
A key win over Coopersville in four games has been among the highlights of the season. Previously, the Broncos had beaten Belding in five for the Redskins’ only loss. Belding also split with Grant in pool play but later won in the final.
“It’s one of those things where you don’t want to take any team for granted, but those have been two very big wins I can remember the girls being excited about,” Linebaugh said.
The key to beating a team like Coopersville is “just making sure you can run your offense and run it quick,” Linebaugh said. “We both run a pretty quick tempo. A lot of it is just the difference on if you’re getting a decent pass to give your setter more than one option. It comes down a lot to defense and serve receive.”
Unselfishness is a key trait among the players, Linebaugh added. “Everybody does their role,” she said. “We have a great group of kids that just understand it takes a team to win. Whether they go in to serve or play the whole game, they understand they’re a part of the team. I just think that’s important for every kid to feel that way on the team.”
Leaders for the Redskins have included Brooke Linebaugh, the setter.“She’s having a great year,” Mikayla Linebaugh said. “She’s close to 600 assists. She leads us in service points and is up there in aces as well.”
Johanna McCully leads Belding in kills and blocks as a middle hitter.
“Greta Wilker is a beast on defense,” Linebaugh said. “For the balls that you think that are down, Greta all of a sudden is there.”
Sarah Brownell and Olivia Stephan are the outside hitters. “They’ve been smart,” Wilker said. “They know when to tip, when to hit, and they know when to go line.”
Sam McNeal has been sparking the Redskins at libero. Kim Thomas is a rightside hitter.
“I always have big dreams and hopes,” Linebaugh said. “To be 25-1, I don’t know if anyone expects to start a season like that. We play a lot of good teams. A lot of those teams, it’s anyone’s game any given night. I’m not going to complain. I don’t know if anyone expected us to start out 25-1.”
The conference tournament is set for Oct. 31.
Belding cross country
The Redskins edged Allendale 42-43 to win the OK-Blue Conference title in October. Teresa Myles placed first in 19:57.
Carson City volleyball
Marissa Schmidt had 15 kills and four aces and Whitney LaVictor 29 digs and 10 kills for the Eagles in a 3-0 win over Ashley.
Tri County cross country
Aaron Jason was sixth overall in the Central State Activities Association Gold Division race in October in 17:04.29 and earned all-conference honors.
Greenville cross country
Nine Greenville runners clocked their season’s best times at an OK Conference meet in Northview. Andrew Mason had the best time of 16:52.31.
Montabella volleyball
Montabella defeated Carson City-Crystal 25-17, 16-25, 29-27, 25-19 in conference action in mid October. Gabby Dobbrastine had nine kills and Hanna Stockwell added 23 digs.