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2021 Football Volleyball Preview
Wildcat football team primed for another successful run
August 2021
Evart volleyball set to have strong varsity team
Evart coach Pat Craven and his players overcame challenges last season, including wearing restrictions to combat the spread of COVID, and advanced to the district finals. (Pioneer flle photo)
By Joe Judd
joe.judd@pioneergroup.com
EVART — Evart football coach Pat Craven believes his squad will be able to compete for another Highland Conference title this season. Consistent improvement throughout the upcoming season will be keys for his team’s success, as the Wildcats get ready to begin a new campaign. “We expect to improve daily and weekly,” Craven said. “Our goal is to win the Highland Conference championship and compete for a state championship.” After so much adversity surrounding the team during last year’s COVID-riddled season, Craven thinks his squad’s resolve will be unphased this tim around.
fill the voids of our kids who aren’t with us anymore.” Replacing outgoing quarterback Danny Witbeck will, perhaps, be the most difficult task when looking ahead to 2020-21. Having a new guy calling the shots under center is part of what Craven calls creating a whole new look for his squad. “We have to create our own 2021 identity,” Craven said. “Last year is over; this is a new year with new opportunities. We are excited to take on every challenge and win the day.” When looking to competition within the Highland Conference this year, Craven speaks of the league with high regard.
Craven complimented the overall commitment of his players from last season to the upcoming one.
“We believe the Highland Conference is a the pinnacle football conference in the state of Michigan,” Craven said. “We have goals to compete for the league championship.”
“They have rallied around each other and committed to making their team the best it could be,” Craven said. “There will be opportunities for kids to step up and show what they are made of in order to
The likes of Bryant Calderon, Alex Cornell, Sam Bailey, Donovan Balowski, Cole Hopkins and Riley Ransom will be expected to lead the charge for Evart on the gridiron this season.
Evart’s volleyball team hopes to do a lot of celebrating this season. (Pioneer flle photo)
By John Raffel
jraffel@pioneergroup.com
EVART – Skylar Baumgardner is a setter and among the key players this season for Evart’s volleyball squad. Lily Gallinger is also a setter and returns along with McKenzie McCay, a hitter, and Addy Gray, a setter and hitter. Kara Henry is among the key graduates from last year’s squad. “We’ve been practicing a lot in the past two weeks” Gray said. “It’s definitely helping.”
Allison Theunick and Brooklyn Decker could also be key contributors along with Kayanne Tiedt. Gray said teamwork and setting will be key strengths. “We have a lot of setters,” Gray said. “We have to improve on spiking and serving.” Evart competes in the Highland Conference. Amanda Brown will be coaching the team.
