More comfortable Mlynarchek set to guide Cheboygan volleyball into Northern Shores era

CHEBOYGAN – There’s a lot of stress that goes with coaching – especially at the varsity level.

And there’s no doubt Cheboygan volleyball coach Darcie Mlynarchek felt it during her first season in charge last fall.

But on Wednesday morning, there seemed to be a more relaxed version of Mlynarchek, who guided young players through the third day of Cheboygan’s youth volleyball camp.

For Mlynarchek, she felt like herself.

“I had a coach tell me one time that we should give it three years to get comfortable – and every year you add a little bit more and learn a little bit more,” Mlynarchek said. “I think that’s what we’ve been doing, me as coach and the team. We’ve been getting more comfortable with each other.”

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As Mlynarchek directed campers through drills during Wednesday's session, some of her current players were right there to help. The Cheboygan coach made sure to praise the dedication of those players, who will be the vocal point of the program as they head into the Northern Shores Conference era this fall.

“I think we have some really good leaders on the team, which helps,” Mlynarchek said. “Those key players, especially Makaela Steiner, Presley Chamberlain, Olivia Patrick, Tessa Lake – they're the vocal leaders. They always make room and make time for practicing in the offseason, and now I think is the most important part, is putting in the work in the offseason so we’re ready for the season.”

As for the players, they also seem to be on board with Mlynarchek’s vision, praising the coach for her passion, which ultimately rubs off on them.

“I love her intensity,” Cheboygan junior Olivia Patrick said. “She’ll always get on the court and show everyone exactly what she wants to see, and she has this intensity and love for the game that I really enjoy. There’s some things that I never knew, and it’s helped me so much, just the little details she homes in on.”

What Mlynarchek does have to her advantage currently is a program that’s generating interest around the community. During two different sessions of this week’s camp, about 90 players showed up. In addition, Cheboygan High School will feature a freshman team once fall sports season begins.

For Mlynarchek, those are signs of a program trending in the right direction.

“It says there is a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of interest in the game of volleyball in this community,” Mlynarchek said. “I think the girls are very excited to learn the fundamentals of volleyball, and they seem to be enjoying it.”

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After guiding Cheboygan to a Straits Area Conference title in her debut season, Mlynarchek is aiming for the same success in the Northern Shores – but she knows it won’t be easy.

To get the Chiefs ready for bigger challenges, Mlynarchek began working on a schedule this offseason. Thankfully, she found a tournament that’ll test her players early and allow them to see how they stack up against elite competition.

“I got us into the Leland tournament (in August), which has some of the best teams in the state,” Mlynarchek said. “I told the girls that we’re going in there to figure out things we can work on, things that we’ve been improving on, working on the tempo of the game.”

While practice doesn’t start for a few more weeks, Cheboygan will compete in two scrimmages next week. One will take place in Onaway on Tuesday, July 30, while the other happens in Gaylord on Wednesday, July 31.

Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com . Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: More comfortable Mlynarchek set to guide Cheboygan volleyball into Northern Shores era