Eyes still on the prize
Novi not letting stoppage distract it from championship goals
It wasn’t long ago that the Novi volleyball program was a fixture at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek.
The Wildcats won three consecutive Class A state championships from 2015-17 and became the program everyone was chasing.
Then-coach Jennifer Cottrill stepped away from the program in 2017 to spend more time with her family, and Kacy Byron took over with a largely new roster.
The Wildcats remained competitive in 2018 and 2019, but were driven to get the program back to Battle Creek in 2020.
Last Thursday, Novi collected its first regional championship since 2017 with a sweep of Dearborn Divine Child. The Wildcats were just one more match from getting to Battle Creek.
Then Sunday happened. The Wildcats, along with 31 other volleyball programs around the state, were in
formed that their postseason tournament was being put on hold due to an epidemic order from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
After some initial shock, Novi is trying to take the latest challenge to the 2020 season in stride and stay focused on their goal.
“I know with talking to the girls that they are still very motivated and excited to finish the season,” Byron said. “Whether it be three weeks from now or eight weeks from now or whenever, they just want to finish the season with one another on the court.”
The MHSAA released plans for the volleyball season to finish if the epidemic order is ended after its current threeweek installation. Should things end on Dec. 8, teams will return to practice on Dec.
The positive attitude of Jennings is common throughout the team. It’s that positivity that Byron believes has gotten Novi through this 2020 season.
9 and then have their quarterfinal matches on Tuesday, Dec. 15. The state semifinals and finals will then be held Dec. 17-19 at Kellogg Arena.
“I am very confident that we will still finish. I believe in the MHSAA and Mark Uyl that they are going to do all they can to finish this last week. It’s just a matter of when that will be,” Byron said. “We are staying positive and whenever play is able to resume, Novi is going to be ready to take on the challenge. We are all hoping and praying that it will be three weeks from now.”
Adding to the drive for Novi is that its quarterfinal match is scheduled against Ann Arbor Skyline. It was the Eagles that eliminated the Wildcats in last year’s postseason during the regional final.
This time around, Novi believes it has the allaround team balance to get the victory and return to Battle Creek.
“There is a lot of belief in this team that we can get (to Battle Creek). They believe in one another and we have a well-balanced team that doesn’t rely heavily on one player to carry us,” Byron said. “We have a lot of girls that can step up and lead if it’s their day. I think that alleviates the stress from the other players. No girl feels the pressure that our success heavily rides on them.”
The balance shows in the stats for Novi, as five different players have over 140 kills this year. Leading the way has been senior Gaby Cummings and sophomore Sarah Vellucci, but seniors Megha Gondi and Caleigh Robinson are also consistent finishers.
Junior setter Rachel Karr runs the offense and mixes up the attack, but also knows when to call her own number to finish a point.
Along with the balanced offense, Novi also is one of the stronger defensive teams in the state thanks to senior libero Rachel Jennings. Jennings was part of the championship team in 2017 and has only improved from there. She has over 1,800 digs in her career.
“Rachel is such a gifted libero. She always is where she needs to be. As a libero, you don’t always get the attention you deserve because you aren’t making the flashy kills or blocks, but overall her play ranks up there with anyone,” Byron said of Jennings. “She has improved year after year. I cannot say enough about Rachel’s athletic talent. She also couldn’t be a better role model and teammate. She’s such a genuine human being and a really great person.”
The positive attitude of Jennings is common throughout the team. It’s that positivity that Byron believes has gotten Novi through this 2020 season.
The Wildcats had to deal with being off for two weeks early in the year due to COVID-19, so they have some familiarity with what this next delay in play will be like.
“Everyone in the program gets along really well. They are a very close team that enjoys being with each other even away from the court. I think that has just strengthened the trust they have for each other and the drive they have to succeed together,” Byron said. “It’s been a season full of challenges for us, but the team has always come through it stronger. I don’t think this new challenge will be any different.”