As the 2010 Henry Ford Community College Women’s Volleyball team heads to the regional playoffs in Grand Rapids following a competitive regular season, the Mirror News spent some time with Scott Gray, head coach of the lady Hawks.

Mirror News: I remember you said that you were an assistant coach with the HFCC team, under your father, and I know that your two roles are now reversed. How did this family affair come about? For how long have you been head coach?

Scott Gray: My dad coached for many years, starting with high school, then college at HFCC in 1989. I joined him in 1994 as an assistant coach. There we stayed until he retired in 1999. I was asked to return as head coach in 2005, and asked him back as assistant the same year. This is my sixth season as head coach.

MN: According to Abe Mashhour, the Athletic Director, there was a lot of optimism going in to this particular season. On what were these high hopes based?

SG: Coming into this season we were planning on five returning players, four of them starters. Add to that number nine incoming freshman. Three of the four starters were lost to eligibility and the last starter was lost to injury. We lost a handful of the freshman and some other possible players for various reasons (mainly money, jobs, other school choices, etc.). We added a transfer student/athlete to our one returning sophomore and seven true freshmen. We are currently at nine players.

MN: To what degree did the team meet/not meet goals and expectations? What were the biggest challenges this year?

SG: The main goal that we met was qualifying for regionals. The biggest challenges are definitely competing on a nightly basis against teams with 12 – 16 quality players. The challenge is matching up with them while using a very skeletal depth chart.

MN: This seems as good a time as any to bring up the (lack of) scholarships: How do you work with such an obvious disadvantage? What do you tell players when you are recruiting?

SG: The lack of athletic scholarships is our biggest disadvantage. Without scholarships you face huge hurdles no other teams in our conference, or region for that matter, have to endure. But we have managed to be competitive in spite of our enormous hurdle.

No athletic scholarships mean many things that most people don't recognize:
• Most of our players pay for their own tuition and, therefore, must continue to work during the season
• It's very difficult to attract a full roster of players
• Academic scholarships are definitely a blessing, but athletic scholarships do not come with the added pressure of high academic standards that Honors students have to endure
• Recruiting is insanely difficult when competing schools can throw around tuition like candy

MN: You said that winning your second to last match (October 21 against Delta Community College) propelled the team into the upcoming playoffs in Grand Rapids, with a 4 - 9 record (the Hawks lost their final regular season match at St. Clair Community College on October 27, finishing 4 – 10). What is the format for the playoffs? Who is the favorite?

SG: The top six teams in the Eastern Conference get an automatic berth in the Regional Tourney (double-elimination bracket). Oakland Community College is undefeated in our conference, and they would have to be the favorite.

MN: How far can the HFCC team reasonably expect to go?

SG: My head tells me we should make into the third round. My heart says, win it all. In my six years we have been to regionals three times, still looking for a win.

MN: Can you recap the season a bit; maybe highlight some of the better player performances of the year?

SG: Our victories have been few, but we have fought hard in many four- and five-set games. We have had many great performances by each of our players during the season.

MN: What would you like to say to the two players who will definitely not be back due to sophomore status?

SG: Tory Hebner has been with us throughout thick and thin for two years. Tory made some excellent plays during the Alpena trip. She never complains and always comes to play.

Gabrielle Jaime was a transfer from Wayne County (Community College) who came in handy, especially after the loss of All-Conference player Crystal Pasko. Gabby has done a great job as Libero for the squad. Both of these players will be greatly missed.

MN: Do you have any final words on the regular season?

SG: I hope we've learned some valuable lessons and matured as players, as well as people. I hope they are ready for regionals.

MN: Is there anything you wish to tell fans about next year's potential team? Anything you want to say to potential players?

SG: I am always hoping for improvement. We will try to enhance our core by adding some talented pieces.

To potential players who wish to try out next year: Check your attitude at the door, and if you're not planning on working hard, don't bother.