John Raffel
Sports Scene
It’s been another banner season for Lansing Christian’s volleyball team and coach Kevin McMillan.
Last year, the Pilgrims were 37-9-5 and lost to Sacred Heart Academy in the regional finals. This season, they got out to a 22-7-5 start.
“I’m happy; we’re very young,” McMillan said. “I have three sophomores, and I have two transfer kids that are new.”
The Pilgrims started out the season 2-6 and from there went 20-1-5.
“Our strength has been hitting and serving,” McMillan said. “We’ve served better this year. We’re using a 6-2. I have six hitters who can hit the ball at anytime. We’re struggling at serve receive. But when we pass well, we destroy the other team.”
The top player has been Kristy Gomez, a sophomore, who is also a standout soccer player. It’s her second year of competitive volleyball.
“Her strength is hitting,” McMillan said. “She’s over 6 foot. She really hits well.”
Another standout has been sophomore middle hitter Mikayla Terry.
“She’s my other middle. She does a special job of hitting,” McMillan said. “She causes problems for other hitters. [Those two girls] are the top two-four blockers.”
He calls Kayleigh Bytweek “pretty much my best all-around player. She has played every position on the court. She wants to play at Cornerstone. She gets the team going.”
McMillan added that “a lot of schools are looking at Kristy and Mikayla, even though they’re just sophomores. Michigan State is interested in Kristy.”
Gomez played soccer last year along with junior varsity volleyball.
On the varsity level, “you have to be on your feet and be ready to put the ball on the floor,” she said.
McMillan is hopeful of a strong postseason run.
“We have a tough regional,” he said. “We’ll probably see Battle Creek St. Phillip. I’m anxious to see where we’re at.”
“We want to make it to regionals again this year and go a step farther,” Gomez said.