Walking Wounded – Albion Volleyball team struggling with thin lineup

Wins have been hard to come by this year for an Albion College Volleyball team hampered by injuries.

The Brits are 3-19 so far with no conference wins.

“We improve every game and we are playing good teams, so we are learning a lot,” defensive specialist, Haley Gitre, Commerce Township sophomore, said. “We have a lot of people that are getting hurt though.”

Injuries have forced the Brits to modify their rotation for several different positions, inhibiting the growth of the team. If certain key players did not have to change positions so frequently, the team would be able to improve at a much faster rate.

“We aren’t letting it get us down though,” Gitre said. “Our back row has really stepped up this year and we have a lot of potential for next season. We have had really strong performances from freshman as well.”

Starting setter, Rebekah Lahring, Gaines first year, is out due to back problems, forcing other players to adjust. Middle hitter Jalyn Ingalls, Elsworth sophomore, now sets in Lahrings place which leaves the team down a player at the middle hitter position.

Middle hitters Caitlin Wright, Hessel senior, and Caitlin McClorey, Wixom first year, are out with injuries as well. Wright suffered a concussion in loss to Alma and McClorey may have torn her meniscus.

A bright spot for the Brits has been the strong offensive play of Kayla Gustitus, Brighton first-year.

In her first season of collegiate volleyball, Gustitus ranks second on the team with 117 kills and 1.48 kills per set. In their most recent match against Trine University, Gustitus hammered home nine of the team’s 23 kills

“The season, so far, has been fun,” Gustitus said. “It’s a lot quicker and the girls are a lot stronger but it’s the same game.”

The Albion volleyball team is continuing to work and improve game by game. Their next game is tonight at Hope college, at 6:30.

“We are working our butts off in practice so you’ve got to give us credit,” Gustitus said. “We’ve had ups and some downs but we’re playing volleyball and it’s the sport we all love.”