Sophomore duo help defeat Century to capture volleyball title

​By: Justin Zulu

For Glenelg setters Mackenzie Calhoun and Lindsay Kelly, it must have been a blur. 

In its first full season since 2019, the team relied on, in part, its two stellar sophomores to capture the 2A state championship, defeating Century High School in straight sets, the team’s first title since 2005. 

“It was surreal,” Calhoun said, “to come as far as we did as a team and become as close as we did. Everything went by so quickly, but I wouldn’t change anything about this experience for the world.”

Calhoun and Kelly’s growth was equally as quick. 

Senior Sydney Yoon quickly realized their potential and knew that they will be superstars for years to come. As the season went on, Yoon continued to observe the domination that Calhoun and Kelly unleashed, including Calhoun’s 27 kills in the championship game.

“They are both such great players,” Yoon said. “They never cease to amaze me, and they will both be a problem in this league for a long time.”

After Glenelg’s second-round playoff exit in 2019, Coach Jason Monjes and his players knew that they would have to make adjustments, even if it meant waiting a year to get back onto the court.

Adjustments were necessary in September, as the Gladiators dropped four out of its first five matches. But Glenelg continued to build and won every set in its next five matches. 

“We knew that we had the potential,” Coach Monjes said. “It was just a matter of being able to put it together and playing like how we knew we could play.

This postseason Glenelg showed a more organized shape and figure, instead of relying on certain players, as they dropped one set in five postseason games. Against Century, Glenelg came out with a new game plan that surprised the Knights. Against Century, choosing to rely on Calhoun to provide her the ability to match up with the Century blocker.

The decision proved fruitful, as Glenelg caught fire and began to dominate Century.  

Even after Century Coach Bryan Trumbo called two timeouts to try and get his team back in the game, Glenelg’s fire power proved too much to bear. 

The Gladiators look to capitalize on their success next season with Calhoun and Kelly leading, and setting, the way. 

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