MORENCI — The Morenci varsity volleyball team is looking to change the trajectory and culture of the program during the 2025 season.
First-year head coach Erin Ekins aims to bring stability and passion to the student athletes.
“I am their third coach in three years,” Ekins said.
“We’ve lost a few girls due to the uncertainty of the program. We needed buy-in and hard work and after a few days I could see it take off in both levels of the program.”
While it’s her first year as the head coach, Ekins is a familiar face to athletes in the program.
“I have daughters on the JV level and the varsity level,” Ekins explained. “I have coached them and their friends throughout their youth.”
“I have coached at the middle school level and also led our Junior Dawgs program for a few years when my girls were younger,” she said. “I also directed the Lenawee County Youth All-Star League for three years.”
Her familiarity with both the sport and the athletes she will be coaching has already paid dividends in terms of participation.
“Our player numbers are too good,” Ekins said. “We have 23 players out and since you only play six at a time, they are all fighting for their spots and time on the court.”
The old adage of “iron sharpening iron” comes to mind and Ekins was quick to praise the girls’ willingness to work and try new drills no matter how much they may doubt why they’re running that drill.
“They naturally push themselves hard and have very high expectations,” she said. “My assistant coach Sarah Wilkins and I see the buy-in happening already.”
The Bulldogs return multiple varsity players this year including three senior leaders in Addyson Valentine (Middle/Outside), Emersyn Bachelder (Middle/Outside) and Lauryn Dominique (Setter/Right side).
Juniors Colbie Ekins (Middle, Outside), Emma Williams (Outside) and Callie VanBrandt (Setter, Right Back) are all returning varsity players as well.
Newcomer Tessa Zuvers, junior, looks to make an immediate impact in the front row while juniors Hailey Cleveland and Savanna Miles will play back row. Juniors Jillian Borton, Jayla McCowen and Callie Vanbrandt will also be in the mix.
Morenci finished with a 5-24-3 record in 2024 and coach Ekins sees an opportunity for improvement.
“With only 5 wins there is a lot of room for growth,” she said.
Ekins described her teams as athletic and versatile at both the Varsity and JV levels.
“Several girls will be playing multiple positions. They are a very athletic group who love volleyball, and we need to focus their athleticism and passion on every point, every set,” she explained.
Ultimately, wins and losses are not the end all be all for a program trying to rebuild itself.
“We hope to change the culture of Morenci volleyball by challenging and pushing each other,” she said. “Volleyball is a fun sport and I want to bring that passion back to our teams. I want them and their teammates to love volleyball and have fun while balancing the discipline that this sport requires.”