The 2010 women’s volleyball team
at Northland International University opened up preseason with a trip into the Sylvania Wilderness area of the
Ottawa National Forest. Coach Herron invited seven returners to participate in a thirty-mile backpack/hike/canoe over the course of four days and three nights. He said, “I did
not know what to expect, and when we started the first leg of the trip, I found
this was not what I expected.” Mr. Chris McClain, a wilderness guide expert with
the Pilgrimage Group, was the leader. The young ladies involved had 25–35 pound
backpacks and also had to hoist a 55–60 pound canoe on top of that as the trail
took them from lakeside to lakeside. Senior captain, Brittany Scott, commented,
“This was the hardest thing we have ever done as a team, but it brought us
together as a team and helped us as individuals.” Abi Walker, another senior
captain, said, “We were totally outside our comfort zone . . . nothing we were used
to for the whole time; we had to pull together.”
Coach Herron’s intention was to challenge
the group with physical adversity that would force them to solve things
together. Each day's trip/leg was led by two new individuals. They were given a
map of the area and led the rest of the team along a body of water or hiking
trail to the final destination for the day. The team would rise at 7 a.m.; be on the
water by 9 a.m.; and canoe, hike, and carry until we were at the campsite at 5 p.m. Day three had the team at a sandy shoreline on Loon Lake for a personal challenge and
introspective time for three hours, and then they were left to find their way to the trip
leaders a couple of lakes away on Florence Lake. Each individual was faced with
a breaking point and had to deal with how she responded or reacted as a leader
and a follower. Coach Herron summarized, “This trip was personally challenging
for me so I know it had to be for these young ladies. I am so proud of them and
found out some things that will help us focus our attention when we need it.
Our theme this year is ‘Go Forward’—taken from the Red Sea miracle in Exodus.
There were lots of points of application, and the players should be able to make
the connection pretty easily!”
Players that
went on the trip were seniors, Brittany Scott, Abi Walker, and Alicia Kellog; juniors, Ellie Hodak and Rachael Swangim; and sophomores, Beth Leeds and Melissa
Moissant. Coach Herron is dependent on the all-around play of the senior captains, Brittany and Abi. Coach Herron stated, “They need to make plays to help our cause this year.”
Alicia Kellog and Ellie Hodak will be depended on for ball control and point production.
Beth Leeds had a decent freshman year but “will need to improve and be more
consistent” for the Pioneers to be competitive. Rachael and Melissa will
compete for the libero and defensive specialist position.
The Pioneers will
welcome newcomers and other returners on Sunday, August 22. The team will
practice for three days before going to Gary, Indiana, to play Indiana University
Northwest on Thursday, August 26. The Lady Pioneers will then travel to Lansing, Michigan,
to participate in the Great Lakes Christian College Volleyball Challenge on August 27–28.
Coach Herron has no expectations other than for the team to understand working
together on a common goal is more beneficial than working alone towards
personal goals. "Go Forward" is a group command that calls for a concerted
effort as a collection of individuals.