North Central volleyball wraps 2025 season, basketball teams host multiple games this week

4 weeks ago7 min read2 comments

As the final buzzer sounds on North Central Michigan College's 2025 athletic calendar, we're witnessing that classic seasonal handoff where autumn's glory gives way to winter's promise. The Timberwolves' volleyball squad just wrapped their campaign at the Great Lakes District Tournament, and let's be real—going 1-2 doesn't tell the whole story.That single victory marked North Central's first-ever postseason win, a program-defining moment that's got to feel like hitting a game-winner at the buzzer. Chloe Winchell, who's basically become the Timberwolves' version of a prime-time scorer, tied her own NCMC record with 22 kills in that epic five-set thriller against Lansing CC—imagine dropping 22 in your final game, that's legacy stuff right there.Meanwhile, libero Taylor Hafeman was digging everything in sight with 50 digs across the weekend, while setter Laken LeBaron dished out 75 assists like she was running the point in her own personal highlight reel. The most wild crossover episode came from Ceara LeBlanc, who served up eight aces at the volleyball tournament then literally hustled to join teammate Gracie Jones for women's basketball duty—that's the kind of grind culture that builds championship programs.Over in cross country, three Timberwolves braved an Iowa snowstorm to compete at the NJCAA DII National Championships, with Kendra Couturier finishing in the top 30% of all runners—that's 101st out of 321 in conditions that would make most of us call for an Uber. Now the spotlight shifts to the hardwood, where both basketball teams just returned from an Ohio road trip that served as a brutal reality check.The women fell to No. 6 Owens Community College 30-120—yeah, you read that right—before showing more fight against Terra State.The men similarly struggled against tough competition, but there were bright spots that have Timberwolves fans looking toward the future. De'Machae McDowell dropped a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds against Owens, plus seven blocks across the weekend—the kind of stat line that makes you think he could legit challenge some school records if he maintains this pace.Cadence Cullen's 21-point outburst and Arika Taylor's career-high six assists show this team's got scoring potential waiting to break out. This week brings the MCCAA volleyball awards announcement on November 11th, where several Timberwolves could snag honors, followed by two crucial home games before the holiday break.Thursday night features Oakland CC at Petoskey Plastics Arena, then Saturday brings Kellogg CC with a special halftime show from Petoskey Parks & Rec youth basketball—the kind of community connection that reminds you sports are about more than just wins and losses. These final home games until January 10th represent a critical stretch for both squads to build momentum before conference play really heats up, and if the cross-sport dedication we've seen is any indicator, the Timberwolves are building something special across their entire athletic department.

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