12
2021 Football Volleyball Preview
August 2021
New Crossroads Crossroads volleyball team will volleyball coach eyes successful team rely on key seniors
Jessica Cole is expected to be among the key players for Crossroads’ volleyball team. (Pioneer flle photo)
By John Raffel jraffel@pioneergroup.com BIG RAPIDS – Susie Hunter is the new coach for Crossroads Charter Academy’s volleyball team and is optimistic about prospects for the 2021 season. Key players expect to be four seniors with outside hitters Clara Hund and Ashlynn McNeilly, middle hitter Jessica Cole and libero/defensive specialist Eme Cornelius. “We will strive to win, be committed and stay committed, work hard. In every practice, and focus on achieving the goals they have set for themselves,” Hunter said. “They have the desire to learn and become the best they can be.” The team needs to work on “communication and mindful play,” Hunter said. Hunter is unsure who might be the favorites in the West Michigan D League race this season. She’s hoping her team could finish in the top three.
Crossroads has a league match at Mesick on Sept. 9,followed by the Byron Center Zion Christian Invitational on Sept. 11, a match at Manistee Catholic Central on Sept. 16, the Montabella tournament on Sept. 18 and home matches on Sept. 21 against Mason County Eastern, on Sept. 23 against Baldwin, on Sept. 28 against Brethren, on Sept. 30 against Pentwater, on Oct. 5 against Walkerville, and on Oct. 7 against Bear Lake. The home Cougar Invitational is Oct. 9. The league tournament is at Marion on Oct. 16. CCA is at Marion on Oct. 12 and at Montabella on Oct. 21. Hunter admitted there is a significant difference to not having to deal with the COVID restrictions from a year ago. “The girls are not carrying the anxiety load they had a year ago,” Hunter said. “They can breathe freely, not worry about adjusting a mask and focus on playing. Fearful thinking is gone.”
Susie Hunter is the first-year volleyball coach at Crossroads. (Pioneer flle photo)
By John Raffel
jraffel@pioneergroup.com
BIG RAPIDS – Susie Hunter takes on the challenges of being the new Crossroads volleyball coach. But she’s no stranger to the coaching ranks. “My first taste of coaching was an assistant in track and field under Fred Jaeger at Morley Stanwood on and off for about 10 years,” she said. “I started the volleyball program at Lakeview Baptist School and was head coach for five years. I was an assistant and head coach (volleyball) at First Baptist Church of Morley for a few years. “I coached volleyball at Tri County as freshman coach, fifth/sixth grade, and assistant to Stacy (Dukes) Durian in seventh/eighth grades and wherever I was needed. I have coached at the JV level as a volleyball coach.” The CCA coach job came open at the right time for Hunter. “With having coached JV at Crossroads Charter Academy, the previous year, I realized the CCA volleyball
program needed a spark to flourish,” he said. “I love volleyball and want to teach the kids to love it as well. I quickly put a camp together to boost the volleyball program. I invited girls from as young as third grade all the way to 12th grade.” Hunter anticipates having a lot of numbers “I anticipate about 18 to 20 girls total for both JV and varsity levels,” she said. “My first specific goal is for this year’s seniors to have the best year they can have. Beyond that my basic goals are to improve volleyball skills, increase their self esteem, sportsmanship, teamwork and be a great testimony to CCA.” Long term goals for Hunter are “to build a strong foundation by taking one step at a time to win conference, district, regional and eventually state championships. “I love the challenge of finding the greatness in each player and bringing forth to fruition by using different strategies,” she said.
