Key returners, outlook for Kellogg Community College fall sports, including volleyball, women's soccer, cross country.
BATTLE CREEK — Things will start to get pretty busy around the Kellogg Community College campus soon, as the Bruins will begin competition in fall sports in the coming weeks.
Here's a breakdown of the fall sports at Kellogg Community College:
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Women's Soccer
The Kellogg Community College women's soccer has been on a roll in recent years under fifth-year head coach Levi Butcher. Winning back-to-back National Junior College Athletic Association regional coach of the year awards, Butcher is expecting even more success in 2025.
KCC has won two straight regional titles in women's soccer for the first time in school history. The Bruins advanced to the Great Lakes District championship game for the second straight year in 2024 and finished 10-5-2 overall.
"We know that winning three in a row is a difficult task,” Butcher said. “We are confident in our sophomores’ ability to pick up right where they left off last season. Our incoming class is a good one, top to bottom, with players who are talented, versatile and will fit in well with our group. Above all, we are looking forward to seeing this group come together and take on the rigors that the season throws at them.”
KCC has 12 sophomores back on the current roster, giving the Bruins great depth. There is a lot of local talent included in that group, featuring Miriam Hibbard (St. Philip), Emily Katz (Harper Creek), Reese Lessig (Pennfield), Rachel Myers (Harper Creek), Sophia Thawnghmung (Lakeview) and Kendall Wank (Gull Lake).
Some familiar faces are joining the program this year from local schools, including freshmen Kirra Budreau (Pennfield), Taylor Havilar (Gull Lake), Haylie Kinney (Battle Creek home schooled) and Tessa Miller (Marshall).
Following preseason scrimmage play, KCC will begin the regular season on the road at Grand Rapids Community College on Aug. 27. The Bruins' first home game is Sept. 7 against Ancilla College.
Women's Volleyball
Kellogg CC continues to make strides in women's volleyball under third-year head coach Judy Mason. The Bruins return five players from last year's regional semifinal team.
Leading the returning group is Piper Porter (Athens), who was an all-region and all-conference selection a year ago. Also returning is all-conference honorable mention pick Caliey Masserang as well as outside hitters Makenzee Grimm (St. Philip) and Mackenzy Warner along with defensive specialist Anya Ruelas.
Local players will help fill out the 2025 roster, including incoming freshmen Lylah Parrish (Climax-Scotts), Ava Longstreet (Coldwater), Addison Tucker (Marshall) and Maya Valentine (Marshall).
"I am looking forward to another competitive season ahead,” said Mason. "We worked hard in the offseason and are bringing in some great talent. Our schedule is tougher this year, but that is by design. We are looking to return to the Region XII tournament again, and this gives us the best chance to be ready to win it.”
The KCC volleyball fall campaign will begin on the road on Aug. 22 at Rockford. The home opener is scheduled for Sept. 9 against the University of Northwestern Ohio and University of Olivet.
Cross Country
The KCC cross country program has made great strides under head coach Tom Shaw in recent seasons.
The Bruins men's team finished fifth in the nation last year at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III level. Sophomore Julian Borst returns after taking sixth individually at the national championships to earn second-team All-American honors. Also returning is Zach Regis and Carson Lenzinger, both from Gull Lake High School. The incoming freshmen class includes four runners from Lakeview in Jonah Bills, Ezra McCarty, Cameron McKee and Eliott Ormsby. Carter Stevens from Galesburg-Augusta is also set to join the team.
The KCC women's team finished seventh in the nation a year ago. The Bruins have two sophomore returners in Chloe Badger (Athens) and Olivia Butler (Homer). The incoming freshmen class has six runners, including a handful from local high schools in Elayna Guadamuz (Lakeview), Jenna Lumsden (Marshall), Alicyn Gleesing (Gull Lake), Madeline Wiersma (Gull Lake) and Kylie Main (Delton Kellogg).
"The outlook for KCC is impressive," Shaw said. "The women's team will be the deepest and most talented team that I have had in my four years coaching the team.
"The incoming class for the men's team is the most talented team I have recruited. We have two or three incoming runners who could challenge our All-American Julian Borst for the top spot."
Contact Bill Broderick at [email protected]. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: KCC outlook for fall sports, including volleyball, soccer, cross country
Category: General Sports
