Central Minnesota Christian Bluejays

Central Minnesota Christian junior outside hitter Molly Mulder collects a dig during a Camden Conference match against MACCRAY on Nov. 19, 2020 from the Central Minnesota Christian School gymnasium in Prinsburg. Patrick Bernadeau / West Central Tribune

Bluejays will build on key returners

Molly Mulder, Coco and Maaike Duininck, Sydney Damhof are CMCS’ core

BY MATTHEW CURRY | West Central Tribune

PRINSBURG — The Central Minnesota Christian Bluejays are preparing for a season of contending volleyball in 2021 with the help of key returning players.

CMCS will be without Addison Brower, the Bluejays’ service ace leader last season with 14, and Katelyn Graves, an elite hitter.

However, CMCS returns key players that include senior Molly Mulder, the team’s offensive leader who finished the 2020 season with 94 kills and nine aces.

“Mulder is a great all-around player in the front row and back row,” CMCS coach Jill Haan said.

Senior Coco Duininck will also help lead the Bluejays in 2021, along with Maaike Duininck, who Haan says is a key contributor to the defense.

Coco Duininck recorded 1,000 career set assists leading into her junior season and looks to improve on that record in her senior year.

“Coco is a phenomenal athlete,” Haan said. “She makes hard plays look easy.”

Central Minnesota Christian’s Coco Duininck delivers a pass during a Camden Conference match against MACCRAY on Nov. 19, 2020 from the Central Minnesota Christian School gymnasium in Prinsburg.

Patrick Bernadeau / West Central Tribune

Sydney Damhof returns as the libero. Damhof ended the season with 107 digs, eight aces and four kills.

“Damhof is a great defensive player who works hard and sacrifices her body for every ball,” Haan said. “She is giving it 110% all the time.”

With the return of key starters, Haan believes the season will be a successful and fun one for players, coaches and fans.

“We don’t want any team to count us out,” she said. “We want them to know that CMCS is coming to play them and if they’re going to beat us, they’re going to need to be at the top of their game.

Central Minnesota Christian’s Lauren Taatjes goes up for an attack during a Camden Conference match against MACCRAY on Nov. 19, 2020 from the Central Minnesota Christian School gymnasium in Prinsburg.

Patrick Bernadeau / West Central Tribune

“I think the girls have that drive and desire and that competitive nature and I’m just really looking forward to seeing that.”

The Bluejays’ season will open on Saturday, Aug. 28 with a tournament at Adrian. The home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 31 against Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart.