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	The Ypsilanti Courier A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Varsity spikers looking for team chemistry

Team drops games against Allen Park, Carlson

By Bruce Mason, Special Writer

PUBLISHED: February 22, 2007

A mere 22 days ago, Garden City varsity volleyball coach John Pace was so impressed with his Ypsilanti opponent that he wrote a letter of praise to the athletic director.

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In the letter, Pace said he'd be surprised if Ypsilanti did not finish 5-1 or 6-0 in its remaining regular season schedule.

But since then, Ypsilanti spikers have lost three consecutive matches, including two in the past week to Allen Park and Gibraltar Carlson.

"Ever since that letter from the Garden City coach, we have gone in reverse," said Ypsilanti volleyball coach Ryan Minarik .

"(We) have totally gotten worse ever since then."

Minarik said his team was "horrible" against Allen Park Feb. 12, as they lost in four sets 21-25, 18-25, 25-20, 17-25.

Sarah Muse led the team with 17 assists and Kaila Claxton had nine kills.

"We should've won still, that's the killer," Minarik said. "We did not play very well, and we were right there."

Minarik said Ypsilanti "played even worse" against Carlson Feb. 15 and lost in four sets 4-22, 24-11, 15-25, 20-25.

Dominique Jones and Claxton had nine kills each.

Since team chemistry has been lacking, Minarik asked each individual player on Friday to write him a letter listing three things: one thing they can improve upon as an individual, one thing the entire team needs to improve upon collectively and what they personally believe Minarik can improve upon as a coach.

It's an effort by Minarik to make his team better and only he will be reading the responses.

"It'll be interesting," he said. "We'll see who actually cares."

Bruce Mason is a freelance sports writer for View/Courier publications. He can be reached through editor@ypsilanticourier.com.