Maidens' volleyball still modifying rotations after debut at Browning Tip-Off Tourney

Ronan High School volleyball coach Charla Lake is still in the process of solidifying her team’s roster after getting a chance to further analyze her team after the Browning Tip-Off Tournament.

“I think that we started off a little bit slow,” Lake said. “We performed below our ability but we had a few more wins than we did last year. We finished strong and won our game against Frenchtown, who beat us earlier in pool play.”

Despite mixing and matching the roster, the Maidens will have one main key piece in sophomore Madeline McCrea.

McCrea could potentially be a preseason candidate for postseason all-conference accolades, Lake said.

“It really does help that Madeline is returning and things are running smoothly,” Lake said. “She is a great leader and really works hard to be a great role model for the rest of the team. The girls think positive without any of those negative things. We could be losing and down in the match, but our girls are so positive that you wouldn’t necessarily know it.”

Lake said she felt her team performed well at the Browing Tip-Off Tournament.

“I think this is a great way to start off because we had a good opportunity to work tonight in this new rotation and some of them played together in rotation,” Lake said. “That is what is helping us get better and better every game. Our team has a good character and good work ethic and it is tough through the hard times. We have to learn how to get better and play volleyball. Our team’s chemistry is very important and our team has become a lot more successful.”

The Maidens have battled injuries early in the season, Lake said.

“We are just battling injuries this season and both to injuries,” Lake said. “Reagan Clairmont,Haylee Walchuk was our libero and we weren’t able to return. Louetta Conko Camel was one of our kill leaders. We lost three key players but we’ve brought up some other kids that have character and work hard. They are very coachable and they just get better every day. Even though they don’t have a lot of experience, they’ll make it up with other qualities they have.”

Ronan, who is entering their second season in Class A, said they are looking forward to playing a significant amount of competition.

“I think now that we will have a year with our competition and haven’t been able to see them(prior to last year, we didn’t know what to expect,” Lake said. “In Class B, Loyola is a huge powerhouse. Our move to Class A from Class B is less competition. Now, Class A is actually on the stronger side of things and just knowing your competition is helpful when you are strategizing.”