MCC Beach Volleyball season preview

Friday February 2, 2024 - 5:10 p.m. | Dylan DeVlieger

MCC Women's Beach Volleyball kicks off their season on Monday as they take on Ottawa University.

The Lady T-Birds are coming off a 13-9 (3-0 ACCAC) season last year in which they took home sixth place at the national championship. Mesa began to catch fire just before they went to nationals as they won four of their last five matches.

At nationals MCC split their two games in pool play and in the challenge round which dropped them to the consolation bracket. In that bracket they would also split their two matches and would take home their sixth place finish.

Second year head coach of the team Jordan Herrington took a lot from their experience at the inaugural NJCAA Beach Volleyball National Championship, including what it takes to win in the presence of the best in the nation.

"A lot of it was just understanding what it takes to win at the national level. As a coaching staff and with our returners we now see what we have to do to be able to be in the top four or even win at the national tournament," said Herrington.

In her second year at the helm Herrington took lessons from their run last year and carried them over to their preparation this season. Understanding what it takes to compete at the highest level in the game, Herrington and staff have made a point to put their players in positions that will prepare them for situations they will face during the season.

"You have to have a lot of grit when it comes to beach volleyball, there are no subs so I can't sub you out if you're struggling," said Herrington, "so we tried to put them in scenarios sooner, quicker, and more often so when it comes to a game or tri-match or when we are at that tournament in May then they are more prepared mentally."

This season will be a bit different for the Lady T-Birds as they are the only member Region I after South Mountain Community College cut their beach volleyball program. Due to this MCC will be traveling more than last year as they will take a trip to California in the beginning of their season and will head up to Northern Arizona University towards the end of the season.

Herrington and her staff view the frequent changes in environment as a positive thing, with playing in new places comes new variables to deal with that will only make the team stronger and more prepared for the national championship.

"I think it's a benefit for us, with losing South (Mountain) we knew we were going to have to travel. With going to California and NAU we get different scenery and climate. That's something we will experience when we go to nationals so getting used to the different climate and variables will help prepare us."

With South Mountain not having a team, Mesa will be the representative of Region I in the national championship as long as they hit qualifications for games played among other items. Just because they have an almost certain bid to the dance, MCC still must keep their focus in every match as more wins equates to better seeding, one loss due to lack of focus or preparaition can be the difference between playing the No. 1 team in the tournament and the No. 5 team.

In all JUCO sports transfers are a valuable asset to be able to acquire and Herrington did just that with the additions of Taylor Erickson and Amaya Evans who are players to watch according to Herrington. 

"Taylor Erickson is a transfer from Hope in California, she's going to be fun to watch. She's crafty and understands the beach game very well. Amaya Evans is another, she's a transfer from South (Mountain) she played on their ones and had a lot of success last year, she's super athletic, super crafty and understands the game."

It's not just newbie T-Birds to look out for this season, sophomore Abby Platt has made tremendous strides in preparing for the season and according to Herrington, is a player to keep an eye on.  

"Abby Platt has really evolved, watching her from last year's indoor season then to beach then from beach to indoor was a huge change. She did all the extra things to come back strong and looks really really good in the sand"

Herrington believes the way her team is built (as long as they stay healthy) is primed and ready to have a good season and make a strong run at the national championship come May.

Click here to view Mesa's schedule.