Morley Stanwood’s volleyball team, under the guidance of coach Robin Kozuch, is gearing up for their favorite part of the season as they concluded their regular season in Cadillac and are set to open their district tournament at Hesperia next Monday. The postseason has traditionally been a time of triumph for the Mohawks, who have already clinched a share of the Central State Activities Association title.
In their recent matches, the Mohawks faced a mixed bag of results. They lost to Roscommon with scores of 25-22 and 26-24 but rebounded with a victory against Grayling with scores of 25-23 and 25-16. Their matchup with Cadillac was a close one, ending in a split with scores of 25-27 and 25-23.
Coach Robin Kozuch reflected on their performance, saying, “We played exceptionally well against Cadillac and came close to defeating them. Although we fell just short, we managed to secure a victory against Grayling but experienced setbacks against Roscommon due to unforced errors. We need to work on minimizing these mistakes as we prepare for the district play next week.”
Key players for the Mohawks include Brooke Moore, who had an impressive 39 digs, and Alaina Christensen with 23. Lynsey Biller contributed 12 kills, while Makenna Martin and Christensen each had 10. Martin was a standout with eight blocks, and Piper Kozuch served seven aces. Sienna Ososki and Piper Kozuch provided valuable support with 24 and 13 assists, respectively.
Morley Stanwood is heading to the Division 3 Hesperia district, where they will face Mason County Central at 7 p.m. on Monday, with a potential match against White Cloud at 7 p.m. on Wednesday if they defeat MCC. The title match is scheduled for November 2.
The Mohawks, with a solid record of 25-8-2, have displayed their determination and skill throughout the season. Coach Kozuch emphasized, “This team has shown they can be a formidable force when they set their minds to it. They are known for their grit and aggressiveness, dedicating numerous hours to training both on the court and in the weight room. What sets us apart this year is our well-balanced team; we don’t rely on a single star player. Instead, we have a versatile and experienced group of athletes. Our focus will be on not allowing errors to disrupt our game but staying committed to the next ball.”
Acknowledging the challenges ahead in their district, Kozuch added, “Our district is undoubtedly competitive. White Cloud is known for their tenacity, and Shelby boasts an exceptional talent in Ohio State commit Neveah Gauthier, who excels in both offensive and defensive play. If we reach that stage, we will need to perform at our best, but I have full confidence that we can rise to the occasion.”
