Darrin McClure is set to make his home court debut as head volleyball coach. Though the season began with away games in Cleveland, Tennessee Sept. 11, Sept. 15 will be the first home game he has had a chance to lead out in since being hired in March.
McClure said he was drawn to Union because of the opportunity to integrate his faith with his coaching more holistically, and he looks forward to mentoring players not just athletically, but spiritually as well.
“The chance to work in an environment that puts Jesus Christ first as a priority is what brought me to Union,” McClure said. “It also allows me to coach in that environment and to help minister to young people.”
McClure believes that leadership is a large strength of the team and said several on the team besides the captains set examples both on and off the court.
Abby Schebel, freshman nursing major, is one of those leaders. Schebel has played volleyball since middle school and said she is excited to enter the collegiate chapter of her career. Schebel has both personal and team-wide goals for the season.
“A goal for myself is to make a difference in the program this year, and a goal for my team is to reach the GSC tournament,” she said.
McClure plans to encourage each member of the team to be the best she can be and reach her full potential.
“The goal for the team this year is simply put…to be the best we can be,” McClure said. “I have some of the highest character kids on this team. They work really hard, and I just want them to realize what they are capable of if we work together and work hard with each other. If we do these things, we can be competitive in the conference.”
Hannah Huguley, junior family studies major, hopes to push the team to new heights.
“This season, I would love for this team to set a new standard for Union volleyball,” Huguley said. “I think our coach has talked a lot to us about how it’s not about results, but it’s about the process, and results will follow. That has been our goal since day one of preseason. For myself, this is the first year I will be running the floor as the only setter. My goal is to really get comfortable in that role so that I can be a leader on the court.”
The first 100 students at Tuesday’s home game against Lane College will receive a free T-shirt.
