Three volleyball veterans recognized on senior night
It was a night of great joy and sadness for three of Central Michigan University’s volleyball players on Saturday.
On senior night, Kaitlyn McIntyre, Hallie Enderle and Danielle Thompson played their final home game and celebrated their last win at McGuirk Arena as the Chippewas swept Toledo University in three straight sets.
“It was bittersweet,” said McIntyre, who finished the match with 13 kills and 10 digs. “It was a fun environment. There were a lot of people there, and to come out with the win obviously feels really good.”
Reflecting on her career as a Chippewa, Enderle said that her time at CMU has molded her into a better player and person on and off of the court.
“I wouldn’t have wanted to spend my four years anywhere else,” Enderle said. “Whether the record shows it or not, there is something tremendously special about this program.”
Enderle finished the match with one dig and zero kills, but said that the stat sheet did not matter when it came to how she felt about her journey at CMU.
“I’d rather have the offensive night I had tonight and leave like this, than to have a night where I did great, but I don’t have the growth that I did,” she said.
“It goes with how I played tonight. It made me realized that I have been so obsessed with numbers that I didn’t realize what a great person I have become and how much my teammates care about me, love me and need me. I don’t think I could get that anywhere else.”
CMU coach Erik Olson started Thompson instead of freshman Kylie Copple on Saturday.
“I really wanted to get a chance to get our seniors on the floor,” Olson said. “If it was close, I was going to play our seniors on senior night.”
Thompson, who transferred from Illinois Central College in 2012, was key in the Chippewas victory.
“This has been an amazing program to come into,” Thompson said. “I love this team. Playing my last game here and winning, it’s been a great two years here.”
