News - Eleven Home Volleyball Matches Coming Up at Kalamazoo Valley

Eleven Home Volleyball Matches Coming Up at Kalamazoo Valley

First conference play is Sept. 12 on campus

Volleyball season is underway at Kalamazoo Valley Community College! You're invited to drop in at any time at the home games, which are always free at the college's Texas Township Campus. The Lady Cougars will have their first conference match on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. against Lansing Community College. It'll be right here on campus! Come out and wear your college apparel! Below are the rest of the home games:

  • 6:30 p.m. | Thursday | SEPT. 12 vs. Lansing Community College
  • 6:30 p.m. | Thursday | SEPT. 19 vs. Lake Michigan College
  • 6:30 p.m. | Tuesday | SEPT. 24 vs. Southwestern Michigan College
  • 6:30 p.m. | Thursday | SEPT. 26 vs. Macomb Community College
  • 6:30 p.m. | Tuesday | OCT. 1 vs. Glen Oaks Community College
  • 6:30 p.m. | Thursday | OCT. 3 vs. Marian University's Ancilla College
  • 6:30 p.m. | Thursday | OCT. 10 vs. Kellogg Community College
  • 2 p.m. | Saturday | OCT. 12 vs. College of Dupage
  • 4:30 p.m. | Saturday | OCT. 12 vs. Highland Community College - Illinois
  • 10 a.m. & noon | Sunday | OCT. 20 vs. Muskegon Community College
  • 1:30 p.m. | Saturday | OCT. 26 vs. St. Clair County Community College

Find the full schedule at athletics.kvcc.edu.

Season Overview

The Cougar volleyball team is heading into the 2024 season under Head Coach Rhonda Sturgeon and Assistant Coach Makayla Bootland who are entering their second season. With the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) adding additional teams and a third conference, the Cougars are looking forward to being a top competitor in the Western Conference this season.

The Lady Cougars will rely heavily on the offensive skills of returning 2023 Honorable Mention All-Western Conference Middle Megan Hecht, who led the team in both kills and blocks last season. Grace Wood, a dynamic defensive specialist, returns to add leadership and consistency to the defense and serve receive. Wood also received Honorable Mention All-Western Conference Honors. The Cougars will also be depending on the experience of returning defensive specialist Laurel Barno and outside attackers Lillian Ferris and Gisell Macedo.

The Cougars will also look to freshman defensive specialist Karli Mesyar to bolster the defensive side. Mesyar was instrumental in leading her team to four district titles and two regional titles. Freshman setter and defensive specialist Havilah Fitzgerald will play an essential role both offensively and defensively. Fitzgerald is a 2X All-Region standout. Outside hitters Kayce Gleesing, East Division All-SMAC, and Alexa Knezevic, Top Junior Athlete of the Year, will also play an important role in establishing a powerful offense. The Cougars are also excited about adding transfer Grace Hybels as an experienced setter and an offensive threat to help run a complex offense.