No Excuses

Going into his second season as head volleyball coach at duPont Manual, Kyle Wood had high expectations. “Our slogan this year is “no excuses” because we’ve done all the background work necessary to really do something special.”

Senior setter Kary Stivers says, “There’s always been a gap between public and private schools, but we’re closing it and we’re right there with them.”

Heading into regional play, the Crimsons have indeed had a special year. They’ve won a third straight Jefferson County Public School Tournament Championship, have posted a record of 28-8, are ranked 5th in the state…and have indeed closed the gap on the Catholic school powers. Manual beat Mercy for the first time in the Louisville Invitational Tournament and took Sacred Heart to five long games in another match.

The reason for the preseason optimism had a lot to do with a stellar class of five seniors, including Stivers, Sarah Ulinski, Lauren Grant, Desirre Wilkerson and Deja McClendon. A six-foot left-side hitter, McClendon is the seventh-ranked senior in the country on PrepVolleyball.com. She’s committed to two-time defending national champion Penn State.

“She’s a great volleyball player but she’s an even better teammate,” says Wood. “Being that go-to girl when we need a kill or being the one that pulls a sophomore or freshman aside and offers them a little tip if they’re struggling or having a down day. She’s the first one who goes over and gives them a high five and tells them ‘c’mon you can do it, let’s do it together.’”

McClendon is enjoying this year even more because it’s her one and only year to play with her little sister Maya, a freshman. “It’s great. It’s kind of funny because I’ve never played with her, I’ve just watched her. She’s goofy and fun and full of life.”

About her big sister, Maya says, “She’s really fun and it’s really inspiring to play with her.” When asked if they get along pretty well, Maya says with a laugh, “Yea mostly, unless she takes my clothes and I get mad.”

The team’s success has come in spite of -- and maybe in part because of -- some setbacks. Manual lost their main gym floor in the August flood. It was replaced in time for senior day, but earlier in the year, their home games were played at Mid-America Sports complex and practices were held in their old, rather warm second gym. “We still had a net and balls and six girls on the court…it was fine,” says Stivers.

The other setback involved Stivers’ brother, Eddie. The 20-year-old Manual grad and student at University of Louisville was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia in September. Coach Wood feels Eddie’s fight has brought a close group even closer together. The team has worn yellow wristbands as a show of solidarity, they’ve had fundraisers to help offset his medical costs and it’s made them all reevaluate things a bit in their lives.

Wood still believes Assumption and Sacred Heart to be the teams to beat in the 7th Region, but he also knows the culture has changed enough in his program that his players believe that in any given match, they can compete with -- and beat -- the best.

No excuses. It’s time to do something special.

Varsity Roster:

1 Alexa Just DS, S Fr.

3 Maya McClendon OH Fr.

4 Jodie Klein LIB So.

7 Mechael Guess MB Jr.

8 Deja McClendon OH Sr.

12 Kary Stivers S Sr.

13 Sarah Ulinski OH, MB Sr.

19 Emma Roberson OH, OPP So.

20 Desirre Wilkerson MB Sr.

24 Rebecca Just OH, OPP So.

33 Lauren Grant DS, OPP Sr.