BY BRETT COBB, McCook Community College News Bureau Coordinator
They say timing is everything!
McCook Community College Volleyball Coach Natalie Alred came on board in late July with ten members for her squad. So, one of her first goals was to make sure she had exhausted all the recruiting possibilities in the area to ensure quality players who may not have considered MCC without having a coach in place, would take a second look after she came on board.
So she started by looking at the roster of the 2011 Sertoma all-star volleyball roster. One player, North Platte graduate, Janessa States, had verbally committed elsewhere, but hadn’t signed her letter of intent, and decided to hear what MCC’s new coach had to say.
Janessa, who had made quite an impression in the Sertoma Volleyball game, decided to talk to Coach Alred, and decided to visit the MCC campus.
During her visit, Janessa started to see the possibilities — for volleyball and the opportunities for a strong academic transfer program.
She spent nearly four hours on campus and by the end of the day made the decision to join the 2011 MCC Volleyball squad. Coach Alred, just a few days in to her new job, had signed one of the top volleyball athletes in the area.
“We were instantly impressed with Janessa,” said Kelly Rippen, who served as the Interim volleyball coach during the spring. “She has a love for the game, great character, and a strong desire to be on the court.”
Rippen said after showing Janessa around campus, and spending just a few minutes with her, she could tell what an excellent fit it would be for both Janessa and for MCC.
“She is passionate about athletics, but also has tremendous academic dedication,” Rippen said.
If a few more days had passed, Janessa would have been making plans to attend another institution, but the timing worked out perfectly for her to be able to see what other possibilities existed for her a little closer to home, and with more potential to make an impact on the volleyball court and in the classroom.
The MCC Volleyball Squad will be playing in North Platte this Friday and Saturday during the Subway Invitational, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
For more information about MCC Volleyball, 2011 schedule, and/or Coach Alred, check out www.mpcc.edu follow the MCC athletics link.