Mce, pentwater & manistee catholic fall sports 2014

2014 FALL

LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS |friday, AUGUST 29, 2014 | inside: mason co. eastern, PENTWATER & MANISTEE CATHOLIC

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Ludington daily newS/SPORTS TAB

| FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014

david bossick | daily news

Members of the Mason County Eastern varsity volleyball team are, front row, from left, Hannah Smakal, Ryann Oomen, Emily Knizacky, Marissa Kist and Elizabeth Bentley; back row, coach Pam Bentley, Taylor Grimm, Lauren McCumber, Tammy Campbell, Dejna Babcock and assistant Russ Bentley.

Mason County Eastern volleyball

Cardinals aim for rebound season in 2014

By DAVID BOSSICK Daily News Sports Editor CUSTER -- Call 2013 a blip on the radar. An aberration.

An exception to the rule.

“We had a lot of hiccups

last year,” second-year Mason County Eastern volleyball coach Pam Bentley said.

“This year, I’m just really pumped.”

Now that the lessons are relatively over, and the team

has gelled, Bentley believes the Cardinals are headed in the right direction.

“The girls that I have from last year, since having that playing time as a team, I think it’s going to be impor-

tant as far as being a stronger team this year,” Bentley said. “This year, from what I’ve seen in practices and conditioning so far, I’m really impressed with our hitting (and) our setting. (There

have been) a lot of improvements from last year.”

A major change is the attitude. Bentley said that for a recent practice, the girls showed up an hour early to get things started.

“I can’t be more pleased as a coach. I think I’m more confident. I feel like my ability and I understand the game a lot better,” she said. see volleyball, page 3

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014

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volleyball: Eastern ready to climb back into the WMD conference race in 2014 from page 4

“As far as the girls individually, last year I had five juniors and this year I’ve got five seniors. I’m really excited about that.”

Mason County Eastern’s roster: Seniors: Emily Knizacky, Elizabeth Bentley, Ryan Oomen, Hannah Smakal and Marissa Kist.

Juniors: Lauren McCumber, Taylor Grimm and Tammy Campbell.

Sophomore: Dejna Babcock.

Those five senior Cardinals that return — Emily Knizacky, Elizabeth Bentley, Ryan Oomen, Hannah Smakal and Marissa Kist — form the nucleus of this year’s team. Eastern loses a couple of foreign exchange students and the only player honored by the Western Michigan D League a season ago, now graduated Jordan Lake.

Lake received honorable mention honors despite being severely injured during an auto accident last fall.

Now the five seniors, along with the three juniors and a sophomore, will be looking to do much better in 2014 than they did in 2013.

“I’ve got a lot of athletes. I think last year was a hiccup year for us,” Pamela Bentley said. “I think schools go through that with rotations of good seasons, solid seasons. Last year was just our hiccup. This year, I’m expecting us to get a lot more wins.

“The mental attitudes. The physical ability. Last year, I didn’t start coaching until the season started and I didn’t know what I was doing.”

There have been some moves to the team in preparation for the season, too.

Bentley is moving Knizacky from setter to hitter and she expected to perform very well in that role this fall.

Tammy Campbell and Lauren McCumber, two new-

david bossick | daily news

Members of the Mason County Eastern junior varsity volleyball team are, front row, from left, Frances Knizacky, Chelsea Gage, Harley Smakal, Zeressa Cregg, Shelby Caruer; back row, Alysha Watkins, Taylor Dykman, Brooke Lee, varsity head coach Pam Bentley, Kaitlyn Maciag, Erin Wittlieff and Daly Narmore.

‘Last year was just our hiccup. I’m expecting us to get a lot more wins.’

Pam Bentley Mason County Eastern volleyball coach comers to varsity, will be splitting some of the duties.

“Tammy and Lauren are going to be my setters.

They’re also going to be taking turns as libero.”

Substitutions were few and far between for Mason County Eastern last season.

That is different this year.

“I think in the program in total, last year I had enough for one team and maybe one sub. This year, I’ve got nine players. I can try different things. We’ve worked on plays this year. Last year, I had no idea what that would be. This year, I feel more in control and I know what I’m doing,” Bentley said.

Big Rapids Crossroads is the defending Western Michigan D League champions, but Bentley recognized the up-and-coming nature of the defending district champion, Pentwater, too.

“The team I know we want to beat, and it’s a big one, is Pentwater,” Bentley said.

“Pentwater had that team dynamics for the past three years. I think this year is their year to shine. To me,

for us, it’s Pentwater.”

Still, the way the Cardinals are composed this season, it doesn’t matter which team has changed in the off-season because of graduation

or additions. The seniors are showing that no team will be taken lightly.

“Some of the girls were saying this team lost this girl or that team lost that girl.

My seniors were like, ‘That doesn’t matter. We are going to beat these teams,’” Bentley said.

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Ludington daily newS/SPORTS TAB

| FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014

david bossick | daily news

Members of the Mason County Eastern cross country teams are, front row, from left, Megan McCormick, Lauren McCumber, Jordan Goodman, Kaitlyn Maciag and Cammie Shoup; back row, Kyle Lee, Joey Mickevich, Mason Saya, Travis McCormick, Ben Cossette, Preston Kelley and coach Ben Knizacky.

Mason County Eastern cross country

Goodman leads girls team Kelley, Shoup pace boys

By DAVID BOSSICK Daily News Sports Editor CUSTER — Mason County Eastern’s girls cross country team had a big-time standout in Jordan Goodman last year, and she really shined last spring during the track season.

Goodman showed she could compete well in the sprints at the MHSAA state track and field meet. And

she’s off to a good start to the 2014 season after running a 23:27.7 at the Pete Moss Invitational hosted by Benzie Central.

“Jordan is definitely the leader. She’s been established. But, we’ve got some girls who will be right behind her,” Eastern coach Ben Knizacky said.

But there’s a newcomer, Cammie Shoup, who’s really been impressive to

Knizacky. She led the Cardinals at the invite at Benzie Central and he expects more from Shoup.

“Cammie established herself in middle school. She broke that two-mile record for us that’s been standing for a long, long time,” Knizacky said. “It was my daughter’s. If she can follow Erica’s footsteps, I’ll be pretty happy.” see girls, page 5

By DAVID BOSSICK Daily News Sports Editor CUSTER — Preston Kelley was the one left standing of the Mason County Eastern cross country team last season, qualifying in his freshman year for the MHSAA state meet.

Kelley completed the course at Michigan International Speedway in 18

minutes, 54.1 seconds, and since that time, he’s been training to get back to the state meet.

And so have many of his teammates and classmates.

“Preston and Abe (Shoup) have been doing a lot of preliminary, along with Jordan (Goodman on the girls team),” Eastern coach Ben Knizacky said. “They’ve ran several 5Ks this summer.”

That included the 5-kilometer race during the Western Michigan Fair where Shoup was second and Kelley was third overall.

“They’ve been working hard. Preston is a long distance runner. He’s very determined and stays focused.

He’s chasing Abe right now, though. see boys, page 5

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014

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boys: Sophomore group core of Mason County Eastern’s team from page 4

Abe has done a great job.

He’s grown a lot, put on a lot of size since last year and he’s developed into that size,” Knizacky said.

Of the eight member team, five are sophomores, including Kelley and Shoup.

Eastern’s roster: Senior: Travis McCormick.

Sophomores: Mason Saya, Abe Shoup, Preston Kelley, Joe Mickevich, Ben Cossette.

Freshmen: Mason Callesen, Kyle Lee. Knizacky said fellow sophomore Joe Mickevich should also be a solid runner. He hasn’t necessarily put in the same amount of off-season training as Kelley or Shoup, but Mickevich will be a good third runner.

“Joe is a runner. Joe will be right there,” he said.

The team is now in a cooperative agreement with Manistee Catholic, and Mason Callesen joins the team through that agreement.

Knizacky was thrilled with

the way the freshman is running in the preseason.

“He will be right there.

Those four boys (Shoup, Kelley, Mickevich and Callesen) are going to be really tight,” Knizacky said. “Mason has really shown me a lot. He’s only a freshman, but he’s really shown me a lot. He belongs to a running club in Manistee and he’s been running all summer.

“I know Mason Saya is going to be in there tight. The top four is capable of running within 30-40 seconds of each other and Mason Saya won’t be that far behind.”

Eastern also will see Kyle Lee as an incoming freshman and someone to be on the look out for.

“Kyle Lee..., he’s a strong athlete,” Knizacky said.

The Cardinals already ran well in the team’s season opener at the Pete Moss Invitational at Benzie Central.

Fellow Western Michigan D League member Bear Lake was the runner-up in the division while Eastern finished eighth.

In that race, Abe Shoup led the way followed by Joe Mickevich and then Kelley.

Knizacky expects his team to be a solid second place behind the well establish Bear Lake Lakers in the WMD race overall.

“We should be able to give Bear Lake a push in both squads,” Knizacky said.

“The boys squad will be a little younger, but they’ve got a lot of depth. I don’t foresee anybody taking second from us by any means because we’ve got some kids that will be right up there close where those points won’t add up.

“When it comes to the regional I can see possibly three girls going (on to state) and maybe even three boys. They’re capable of it,” Knizacky said.

He also believes the Class D cross country meet is one where Mason County Eastern can excel. It will be in mid-October at Shepherd daily news file and is solely for Class D Mason County Eastern’s Preston Kelley (censchools that sponsor the ter) runs at the MHSAA cross country regional sport. last November in Acme.

girls: Newcomer Shoup, veteran Goodman to lead pace To help curb those losses, the Cardinals add two runners out of the cooperative agreement Eastern’s roster: with Manistee Catholic, Mia Hogan and Lauren Golembiewski, Senior: Lily Rolston both juniors.

Juniors: Mia Hogan, Lauren “The two girls that came in Golembiewski, Lauren McCumber. through the co-op from ManSophomores: Jordan Goodman, istee Catholic look pretty strong Hannah Maier, Kaitlyn Macias. in practice,” Knizacky said.

Freshman: Cammie Shoup.

“They’re very determined and The Cardinals have some loss- they’re coming and working es from last year’s team. Megan hard. They look to be very good, McCormick is likely out for the very excellent additions to the season because of injury issues. squad.”

Kaitlyn Macias returns to the And Mackenzie Brown transferred to Ludington for this team, as does Lily Rolston.

“Kaitlyn did extremely well year.

“They said there’s a possibil- towards the end of the season. ity towards the end of the sea- She was a really strong fifth girl son. She’s done a lot of water for us. I’m hoping that she can workouts,” Knizacky said of Mc- be our strong fifth again since Cormick. “She’s trying to stay Megan still has some injuries,” Knizacky said. close.” from page 4

Rolston will push her teammates, as will Hannah Maier.

“It’s her first year in sports in a while, but Hannah is a good athlete,” Knizacky said. “I don’t expect her to show much (early in the season). But I think towards the end of the season, she’ll be capable of giving us support.”

He’s glad that the members of the team have put in some work over the summer, whether it has been through running 5-kilometer races or running the cross country course in Custer. That included Goodman running the race during the Western Michigan Fair earlier this month.

“Jordan was the top girl overall,” Knizacky said.

Bear Lake is the top team traditionally in the Western Michigan D League, and 2014

shouldn’t be any different.

Knizacky believes his Cardinals girls team will do well.

“We should be able to give Bear Lake a push in both squads,” Knizacky said. “I really had high hopes of the girls taking it this year until I lost Megan and Mackenzie. But, we’re still going to attack it. They’ve got a fairly veteran squad on the girls side.

“When it comes to the regional I can see possibly three girls going (on to state) and maybe even three boys. They’re capable of it,” Knizacky said.

He also believes the Class D cross country meet is one where Mason County Eastern can excel. It will be in mid-October at Shepherd and is solely for Class D schools that sponsor the sport.

2014 Mason County Eastern fall schedules JV/varsity volleyball Sat., Aug. 23, varsity at McBain Northern Michigan Christian Invite, 9 a.m.

Sat., Aug. 23, JV at Reed City Invite, 8:30 a.m.

Tue., Aug. 26, varsity at Frankfort Invite, 9 a.m.

Thur., Aug. 28, varsity at Bear Lake Invite, 9 a.m.

Sat., Sept. 6, JV at Brethren Invite, 9 a.m.

Thur., Sept. 11, at Manistee, 6 p.m.

Thur., Sept. 18, at Onekama, 6 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 20, varsity at Pentwater Invite, 9 a.m.

Sat., Sept. 20, JV at McBain Invite Thur., Sept. 23, Walkerville, 6 p.m.

Tue., Sept. 25, Bear Lake, 6 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 27, varsity at McBain Invite Tue., Sept. 30, Brethren, 6 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 4, varsity at Brethren Invite, 9 a.m.

Tue., Oct. 7, Baldwin, 6 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 11, Mason County Eastern JV Invite, 9 a.m.

Tue., Oct. 14, at Pentwater, 6 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 16, at Big Rapids Crossroads, 6 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 18, varsity at WMD tournament at Pentwater, 9 a.m.

Sat., Oct. 18, West Shore JV Invite, 9 a.m.

Tue., Oct. 28, at Kent City Algoma Christian, 5 p.m.

Cross country (co-op with manistee catholic) Sat., Aug. 23, at Benzie Invite, 9 a.m.

Mon., Aug. 25, at Orchard View, 5 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 6, at Buckley Invite, 9 a.m.

Wed., Sept. 10, at WMD jamboree at Bear Lake, 4:15 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 13, at Briggs Invitational at West Shore hosted by Ludington Wed., Sept. 17, at WMD jamboree at Big Rapids Crossroads, 4:15 p.m.

Wed., Sept. 24, WMD jamboree, 4:15 p.m.

Tue., Sept. 30, at Kelder Poured Walls Invite at Mason County Central Fri., Oct. 3, at LeRoy Pine River Invite Wed., Oct. 8, at WMD championship at Walkerville, 4:15 p.m.

Wed., Oct. 15, Cardinal Classic, 4:15 p.m.

Football (co-op hosted by Manistee Catholic) Thurs., Aug. 28, at Hart, 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 5, at Bark River-Harris Fri., Sept. 12, at Blanchard Montabella, 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 19, Baldwin, 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 26, at Onekama, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 3, Mesick, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 10, Traverse City Christian, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 17, Brethren, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 24, at Bellevue

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Ludington daily newS/SPORTS TAB

| FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014

GREG GIELCZYK | DAILY NEWS

The Manistee Catholic varsity football team includes, front row, from left, Chris Chesebro, Nicholas Hansen, Nathan Fortier, Chad Robke, Blake Robke, Aaron Shively, Juan Hernandez and assistant Jake Szymanski; back row, assistant Dale Kowalkowski, Jordan Kuenzer, Gregory Bender, Cory Cabot, Robert Russo, Cody Smith, Blake Vargas and coach Dave Russell.

Manistee Catholic football

Big changes for Saber football

BY GREG GIELCZYK DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER MANISTEE — A lot has changed for the Manistee Catholic Central football team since the end of last season, not the least of which is the Sabers’ lineup in the offensive backfield which will be almost entirely new this season.

With only one exception.

Nathan Fortier is the lone returning starter at running back, leaving veteran coach Dave Russell with little alternative but to completely change his offensive philosophy as the Sabers prepare for another fall season.

The other change is in the

configuration of the conference in which the Sabers play, which this year will add Mesick from the old Northwest Conference and independent Traverse City Christian, even though the Sabres have been on Catholic’s schedule for the past couple of years now.

Christian has been looking for a home ever since it gave up on playing 8-man football because of all the travel, and when Mesick came calling on the Western Michigan D League after rejecting the merger of the Lake Michigan and Northwest conferences, it presented an opportunity to finally have a conference affiliation.

Actually, the timing was

perfect. Big Rapids Crossroads Academy, which had been struggling to field a complete team on a regular basis of late, has opted to play 8-man football, leaving the Western Michigan D League with only remaining football playing members.

Since the league bylaws now would no longer recognize football as a conference sport because less than 50 percent of the league members offered it, and Mesick wanted to join for football only and remain in the realigned LMC/Northwest Conference for all other sports, the league was renamed the Northwestern 6 Football League.

The Sabers’ roster:

both teams present different and unique challenges, yet are competitively on the SENIORS: Cory Cabot, Robert same level as Catholic.

Russo, Aaron Shively, Nathan But his most immediate Fortier, Blake Vargas, Cain concern is how a team deciStone, Brent Swain, Cody mated by graduation lossSmith; JUNIORS: Blake Robke, Michael es will adjust to wholesale changes to the offense and Deising, Justin Feliczak, Chad defense. It’s going to be a Robke, Jordan Kuenzer, Dylan steep learning curve for even Peterson, Gregory Bender, the more experienced playDylan Baldwin; ers.

SOPHOMORES: Juan HernanThe Sabers are going with dez, Chris Chesebro, Alex a spread offense to make Ooman, Jacob McComb; FRESHMEN: Barry Seymour and better use of the talent they have on offense, which is priNick Hansen. marily in the receiving corps Russell called the addi- with all but one of their runtion of Traverse City Chris- ning backs and quarterback tian and Mesick a winner for Ben Feliczak gone.

On the other side of the all concerned, and feels that

ball, Russell has gone to a multiple defense, again to take advantage of where their talent lies. Russell used the scrimmage last week to help determine where his defense needed to go.

“We found ourselves with a lot more receivers than backs, so it only made it logical to go into the passing game a little bit,” Russell said before the scrimmage.

“Defensively, the same thing. We have a lot of linemen and defensive backs, so we’re looking at going to multiple fronts.

“So, that was a big change.

But, we’re going against ourselves.” see football, page 8

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GREG GIELCZYK | DAILY NEWS

The Manistee Catholic varsity volleyball team includes, front row, from left, Shelby Papes and Kaytlin Heck; back row, coach Jaimie Luomala, Emily Bergel, Olivia Kniat, Jenny Pieczynski, Paige Picardat, Meghan Miller and coach Taylor Ozimac. Not pictured: Renee Seymour and Jodi Janowiak.

Manistee Catholic volleyball

Ozimac takes on Sabers volleyball

BY GREG GIELCZYK DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Catholic Central girls volleyball team before they started practicing. Actually, none MANISTEE — Taylor Ozi- at all. She didn’t even meet mac didn’t have a lot of time the girls until the first day of to get to know the Manistee practice.

But she does have some experience, having coached the Manistee High junior varsity volleyball team last year. Still, it’s not quite the same as being in charge of a

varsity program where success is measured in just one way ... winning.

She won’t be taking it on alone, however. Jaimie Luomala will be her varsity

assistant. Since neither had pared to bring the Sabers an opportunity to evalu- their first district title in volate the girls before practice leyball.

The Sabers’ roster: started, they knew it would be a challenge coming in but see sabers, page 8 they accepted it and are pre-

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| FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014

football: Sabers have inexperienced backfield in ’14

sabers: New coach

from page 6

from page 7

Don’t get the idea Catholic is going to be throwing on every down, because that’s not the case at all. They will run out of the offense, particularly with Fortier, and hope to have success behind an experienced offensive line that includes seniors Cory Cabot, Cody Smith, Robert Russo and Blake Vargas.

Another senior, Cain Stone, will be at a wide out.

First-year senior Aaron Shively has been showing a lot of promise at quarterback. He also has a lot of speed, what the television guys like to call “,” and a strong enough arm to get the ball down field.

“He’s a very coachable, hard working kid,” Russell said. “I just wish he would have played earlier. But, there’s a lot of opportunities for kids. We realize there’s going to be a big learning curve with a new quarterback.

“Some things are not good when

He will be blocking. He’s got a couple things he’s got to do.

“I don’t know what it’s going to look like. There’s going to be some things that we’re going to scrap, and there’s going to be some things we’re going to add. I’ll have a better feel after the scrimmage.”

Russell considers Onekama, Brethren and Baldwin as the team’s to beat in the conference this season.

He thinks all three are at their peaks right now.

“They have the best talent they’ve had in a very long time,” Russell said.

“That’s going to be a very big chaldaily news file lenge for us. Then you throw in Mesick, Manistee Catholic opened last season which is new. We have Bellevue, which is a new team on the schedule from against Elk Rapids. down south.

“We have a pretty good schedule. you’re passing the ball, so we realize that, too. We’re doing a lot of work We’re going to try our best. The kids right now, and hopefully it’s going to have a great attitude, and that’s all you pay off. Nathan will be running the ball. can ask for.”

2014 Manistee Catholic fall schedules Football (co-op with MCE) Thurs., Aug. 28, at Hart, 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 5, at Bark River-Harris Fri., Sept. 12, at Blanchard Montabella, 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 19, Baldwin, 7 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 26, at Onekama, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 3, Mesick, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 10, Traverse City Christian, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 17, Brethren, 7 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 24, at Bellevue

Varsity volleyball Fri., Aug. 22, at Northport, 7:30 p.m.

Tue., Aug. 26, at Frankfort Tournament, 9 a.m.

Thur., Sept. 11, at Mason County Central triangular, 5:30 p.m.

Tue., Sept. 16, at Traverse City Christian, 7:30 p.m.

Tue., Sept. 23, at Big Rapids Crossroads, 7:30 p.m.

Thur., Sept. 25, at Walkerville, 7:30 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 27, at Onekama tourney, 9 a.m.

Tue., Sept. 30, at Pentwater, 7:30 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 2, Mason County Eastern, 7:30 p.m.

Tue., Oct. 7, at Brethren, 7:30 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 9, Onekama, 7:30 p.m.

Tue., Oct. 14, Baldwin, 7:30 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 16, at Bear Lake, 7:30 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 23, Frankfort, 7:30 p.m.

Tue., Oct. 28, Mesick, 7:30 p.m.

Junior varsity volleyball Fri., Aug. 22, at Northport, 6 p.m.

Thur., Sept. 11, at Mason County Central triangular, 5:30 p.m.

Tue., Sept. 16, at Traverse City Christian, 6 p.m.

Tue., Sept. 23, at Big Rapids Crossroads, 6 p.m.

Thur., Sept. 25, at Walkerville, 6 p.m.

Tue., Sept. 30, at Pentwater, 6 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 2, Mason County Eastern, 6 p.m.

Tue., Oct. 7, at Brethren, 6 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 9, Onekama, 6 p.m.

Tue., Oct. 14, Baldwin, 6 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 16, at Bear Lake, 6 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 23, Frankfort, 6 p.m.

Tue., Oct. 28, Mesick, 6 p.m.

Cross country (co-op hosted by mce) Sat., Aug. 23, at Benzie Invite, 9 a.m.

Mon., Aug. 25, at Orchard View, 5 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 6, at Buckley Invite, 9 a.m.

Wed., Sept. 10, at WMD jamboree at Bear Lake, 4:15 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 13, at Briggs Invitational at West Shore hosted by Ludington Wed., Sept. 17, at WMD jamboree at Big Rapids Crossroads, 4:15 p.m.

Wed., Sept. 24, WMD jamboree, 4:15 p.m.

Tue., Sept. 30, at Kelder Poured Walls Invite at Mason County Central Fri., Oct. 3, at LeRoy Pine River Invite Wed., Oct. 8, at WMD championship at Walkerville, 4:15 p.m.

Wed., Oct. 15, Cardinal Classic, 4:15 p.m.

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SENIORS: Emily Bergel, Olivia Kniat, Jenny Pieczynski; JUNIORS: Shelby Papes, Kaytlin Heck, Paige Picardat, Meghan Miller, Renee Seymour and Jodi Janowiak.

Unfortunately, they’ll be working with a small group. Only nine girls are out for the sport, leaving the coaches with only three players in reserve. They are already figuring on clever ways to rotate so everyone stays as fresh as possible.

Despite the small squad, and her own lack of coaching experience, Ozimac is unabashedly optimistic about the team’s chances for success.

“It’s going to be an experience,” Ozimac, who played at Manistee High, said. “It’s going to bring it to a whole new level. But, I have a good group of girls. I think we’ll do well this year. They had a really good team last year, and a lot of them are really good.

“The athletic director, (Heather) Skipski has high hopes for this team. They did make to district finals last year. I know they’re hoping to get at least that far again, and hopefully have a different outcome this year.”

Catholic has three returning seniors to provide leadership in Emily Bergel, Olivia Kniat and Jenny Pieczynski. Also coming back are juniors Paige Picardat, Renee Seymour, Jodi

Janowiak, Meghan Miller and Kaytlin Heck. Junior Shelby Papes rounds out the squad, and she saw limited action a year ago.

But that’s the entire team, so the real worry for Ozimac is whether she can get the girls in condition to take the rigors of the season without falling prey to fatigue and struggle to finish games.

“From what I’ve seen so far from the girls, I feel really confident,” Ozimac said. “But until I see more of them in practice, I won’t really know what I’m looking at as far as where some of them might fit in the lineup.

“I do know that they’ve said that they didn’t have assigned positions last year, and pretty much played everywhere on the court. So I guess we’ll start with a clean slate and figure out where we should put people.”

Luomala would like to see the girls hit the ball hard and be aggressive, which is what she displayed as a Chippewa. As a setter who transitioned to outside hitter, that will be her area of expertise with the Sabers.

She also wants them to be versatile, and able to play different positions and not specialize in any area unless some show more skill at one or another.

“We’ve already seen a lot of hitters on the team,” Ozimac said.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014

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Fatura seeks more faces

By DAVID BOSSICK Daily News Sports Editor

PENTWATER -- Pentwater’s cross country team has a few new faces, and perhaps one of the most important is the coach.

Erika Fatura, who began co-coaching Pentwater’s track teams in the spring, takes on the cross country team from coach and athletic director Dan Nugent this fall. Fatura said it’ll definitely be a transition for her.

“It’s a different lens for me. I’ve gone with a running lens. To go with a coaching lens, I have to figure out what works for other people. Running is so individualized. It’s so important to know that what works for one doesn’t work for all,” she said.

Fatura is an active running, having participated in several 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer races.

“I’ve never coached cross country before, but I’ve been a runner the last two years.

I’m running all the time,” she said. “When the opportunity came up, I decided to (do it).

It just made sense. I’m the track coach anyway.”

Those experiences, though, are different to a degree. Fatura’s running is from road courses. Cross country is different with its trails. Still, there are something things that she can guide the athletes with.

“I think for the most part, I have a pretty good understanding. That helps,” she said.

And, she’s leaning on former standout runner Vallery McClellan to help fill in the gaps, too.

“She’s happy to talk cross country all day long. I’m happy to pick her brain as well and figure out what strategies that worked for her,” Fatura said.

The Falcons did end up losing a handful of runners from last year, including Sam and Alex Wagner as well as Nick Anscombe.

“We have a pretty young group... A couple of athletes who have been with us are gone. We’re a pretty young group. We have a goal-setting sheet and working on improving. Working on personal bests is what we’re working on,” she said.

Jake Quinn, Jackson Sheets and Julien Nyberg all return from last year’s team while the team lost both Sam and Alex Wagner as well as Nick Anscombe and Gabe McLellan.

The girls team returns Sophia Nyberg from last year’s team and adds Brianna Adams and Madeline Wagner.

Both teams will need a few more runners to field complete teams. That’s something Fatura hopes to rectify once the school year begins after Labor Day. “I’m hoping to snag a few

Pentwater cross country

more when school starts as well,” Fubera said.

david bossick | daily news

Members of the Pentwater cross country teams are, front row, from left, Jake Quinn, Jackson Sheets and Julien Nyberg; back row, Madeline Wagner, Brianna Adams, Sophia Nyberg and coach Erika Fatura. Not pictured: Dayton Gibson.

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Ludington daily newS/SPORTS TAB

Pentwater boys soccer

| FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014

Boys aiming to maintain success

By DAVID BOSSICK Daily News Sports Editor PENTWATER — Pentwater’s boys soccer team will head into the 2014 season hoping to maintain its win total from its recent years.

Vic Gowell, starting his fifth season with the Falcons, says he has the captains to help lead his team to keep a solid level of victories. Sam Wagner, Nick Anscombe and Jared Visger all will lead the team.

“They’re my three captains. They have a lot of energy, and they’ve been doing this for a while,” Gowell said.

“They know what’s expected of them.”

The Falcons return a few other players from last year’s team: Jacob Emick, Damon Martz and Michael Naughton. Martz played partially in goal last season and he will help to keep the net clear this season.

“He’s a real nice big body.

We’re looking for a lot out of him,” Gowell said.

There are a few freshmen who help out this season. Bill Sproul, Iain Stewart, Owen Knudsen and Nicholas Henley will see playing time right away for the Falcons.

Gowell said the players have shown a passion for playing and watching the game, which will help. At the same time, there will be some inexperience with his team.

“At some level, I’m worried about it. I’ve got some

david bossick | daily news

Members of the Pentwater boys soccer team are, front row, from left, William Sproul, Nicholas Anscombe, Iain Stewart, Jacob Whitford, Owen Knudsen and manager Chael Gowell; back row, Michael Naughton, George Peterson, Jared Visger, Semaj Collier, Jacob Emick and coach Vic Gowell.

Not pictured: Sam Wagner, Cody Love, Nicholas Henley and Damon Marte.

see falcons, page 12

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david bossick | daily news

Members of the Pentwater Falcons volleyball team are, front row, manager Glenn Miller; back row, from left, Linnea McDonough, Kylee Patterson-Skuse, Chyanne Smith, Emily Gebhart, Jill Miller, Taylor Wilkinson and coach Kerry Newberg. Not pictured: Anna Hofmann.

Pentwater volleyball

Falcons return nearly everyone from ’13

By DAVID BOSSICK Daily News Sports Editor

All but one face is the same for the Falcons, and that includes coach KerPENTWATER — Pentwa- ry (Foote) Newberg. If anyter’s girls volleyball team en- thing, the biggest change for ters the 2014 fall season es- Pentwater is the consistency sentially like it did for 2013. from the bench. Newberg, in

her second year with Pentwater, started coaching the team as fall practices got underway in 2013.

This summer, and the beginning of 2014, is the big difference.

“It’s been great. We actually had a summer camp this year,” Newberg said. “We had the Whitehall coach come in and coach the girls a little this summer. That helped.

But lower numbers still. I

still have to have younger siblings and parents coming out to help.”

The Falcons return all but one player, Taylor Gebhart, from a team that put things together as the sea-

son moved along and won a district championship.

“Everyone is back, but I’ve changed up the positions a little bit,” Newberg said. see pentwater, page 12

12 |

Ludington daily newS/SPORTS TAB

| FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014

2014 Pentwater fall schedules Boys soccer Tue., Aug. 26, Walkerville, 4:30 p.m.

Thur., Aug. 28, at Grant, 3:30 p.m.

Tue., Sept. 2, at Manistee, 5 p.m.

Thur., Sept. 4, Shelby, 4:30 p.m.

Tue., Sept. 9, Mason County Eastern, 5 p.m.

Thur., Sept. 11, at Hart, 4:30 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 12, Cadillac Heritage Christian, 5:30 p.m.

Thur., Sept. 18, at Mason County Central, 4:30 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 19, Big Rapids Crossroads, 6:30 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 20, Hart Tournament, 9 a.m.

Thur., Sept. 25, Mason County Central, 4:30 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 26, at McBain Northern Michigan Christian, 5:30 p.m.

Mon., Sept. 29, Walkerville, 4:30 p.m.

Tue., Sept. 30, Manistee, 5 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 3, at Big Rapids Crossroads, 5:30 p.m.

Mon. Oct. 6, at Cadillac Heritage Christian, 5:30 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 9, Newaygo, 4:30 p.m.

Fri., Oct. 10, at Mason County Eastern, 5 p.m. daily news file

Pentwater’s Taylor Wilkinson (15) looks to block a play against Manistee Catholic while teammates Emily Gebhart (18) and Chyanne Smith (lower left) get ready during an MHSAA Class D district match last November.

pentwater: Volleyball team improves schedule for 2014 Kylee Patterson-Skuse.

berg’s first year only has built excitement and resolve for this “Some of them are going to Kylee Patterson-Skuse is the season.

“We built up our schedule try some different hitting po- newcomer and Newberg besitions. We’re excited and set a lieves she will fit in fairly well this year and playing in some tournaments,” lot of goals.” with the girls who have played higher-end This year’s roster: the last two or three seasons she said. “We’re playing some together on the varsity team. higher class teams, some Class Juniors: Chyanne Smith and Em- While there isn’t a junior var- C, some Class B, so that way sity team, the middle school we’re ready for what we saw in ily Gebhart. the regionals.” teams have several players.

Sophomores: Anna Hofmann, Pentwater finished third Reaching the regional chamLinnea McDonough pionship last season in New- in the Western Michigan D Freshmen: Taylor Wilkinson and from page 11

League last season. The target for 2014?

“We want to finish higher in the conference this year... The girls want to be either first or second. They just have to get by (Big Rapids) Crossroads.

They are the team we want to beat. We want to move on out of districts again and we want to be more competitive when it gets to regionals.”

falcons: Soccer team’s captains to set tone for teammates in having) never played soccer before.

Now, I think he’ll be one of the best deguys who haven’t played in a while or who fenders around. Yes and no, I’m a little bit guys who have never played. But they worried just because you have to be (uncome out and play hard and work hard til) you see how it turns out.”

The Falcons have won 10 games in the for me. We’ve had some great things come past couple of seasons. Gowell would like from that in the past.

“Three years ago, Nick Anscombe (came to see Pentwater complete that total, if from page 10

not more, this season. And he feels the district ahead could be wide open given that most, if not all, teams in it are having to regroup from some significant losses.

“I know a lot of other teams from the district that they are missing a lot of people, too. They’ll be down a little bit, so that isn’t too bad,” Gowell said.

Cross country Wed., Sept. 10, WMD jamboree at Bear Lake, 4:15 p.m.

Wed., Sept. 17, WMD jamboree at Big Rapids Crossroads, 4:15 p.m.

Wed., Sept. 24, WMD jamboree at Mason County Eastern, 4:15 p.m.

Wed., Oct. 8, WMD jamboree at Walkerville, 4:15 p.m.

Wed., Oct. 15, Cardinal Classic at Mason County Eastern Thur., Oct. 16, Oceana County Meet at Oceana Golf Club, 3:30 p.m.

Volleyball Thur., Aug. 28, at Bear Lake Invite, 9 a.m.

Sat., Sept. 6, at Hesperia Invite, 9 a.m.

Tue., Sept. 9, at Manistee triangular Thur., Sept. 18, at Bear Lake, 6 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 20, Falcon Invitational, 9 a.m.

Thur., Sept. 25, Brethren, 6 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 27, at Fruitport Calvary Christian Invite, 9 a.m.

Tue., Sept. 30, Manistee Catholic, 6 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 2, Walkerville, 6 p.m.

Tue., Oct. 7, at Onekama, 6 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 9, at Big Rapids Crossroads, 6 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 11, at Shelby Invite, 9 a.m.

Tue., Oct. 14, Mason County Eastern, 6 p.m.

Thur., Oct. 16, at Baldwin, 6 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 18, WMD tournament, 9 a.m.

Tue., Oct. 21, Manistee, 5 p.m.

Tue., Oct. 28, Holton, Fruitport Calvary Christian, 5 p.m.