Nov 14, 2007

LSSU setter Erin McLain to forego final year of eligibility

Nov. 14, 2007

SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State junior setter Erin McLain has opted to forego her final year of eligibility in order to attend graduate school. She will leave the LSSU volleyball program ranked No. 2 in career assists.

"If I wasn't planning on moving on, I'd definitely stick around for at least another semester," said McLain, an Alpena, Mich., native who plans to obtain a graduate degree in occupational therapy. "But I can't start graduate school midway through the year. This was not a decision that I made easily. It will be hard next year when I know the team is supposed to be starting, and I won't be there."

McLain red-shirted as a true freshman in 2004-05 and is a senior academically. She needs only nine credit hours next semester to qualify for her undergraduate degree in exercise science.

McLain was LSSU's lone setter in 2005-06 and totaled 1,123 assists, which ranks third on LSSU's single-season list. She split time with Liz Holden in 2006-07 and compiled 799 assists. McLain and Ashley Purvis shared playing time this season, and McLain finished with 821 assists. Through three seasons, McLain has 2,743 career assists, which is second only to former Laker Jamie Kjolhede ('99), who finished her career with 4,063.

"It's definitely something that I'm proud to look back on," McLain said. "But I'm not a records checker. Stats aren't necessarily the most-important thing to me. Hitting percentage means more to the hitters than assists mean to me."

As a setter, McLain is the team's play-maker, and her job is to create scoring opportunities for the hitters. Coach Mark Engle's offense is geared around verbal communication, and it demands that the setter take charge.

Another Alpena setter who committed to LSSU during the fall signing period, Marie Stender, could follow in McLain's footsteps.

"Melissa Doubek, my high school coach, wasn't shy about giving us the reigns," McLain said. "That taught us leadership and managing skills immediately. That has helped out so much. She told us, `You are calling plays. You are the quarterback of this team.'"

McLain and her Laker teammates were tested by some of the nation's best Division II teams this season. Three conference opponents were ranked among the top 12 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25 poll at the end of the season. McLain carried the burden on her shoulders as the Lakers scrapped to an 8-22 finish.

"My teammates will be the first to tell you that I'm pretty torn up when my expectations aren't met," said McLain, who was thankful for the outstanding student support at home matches this season. "But I still have the highest of expectations for them, and I can't wait to come back and watch."

Playing college volleyball was not something McLain strongly considered until she was recruited by Lake Superior State, and she has surprised herself with how much she has grown during the past four years.

"I went into a series of situations a little nervous, but came out of them a much-stronger and well-rounded player," McLain said. "I have improved ten-fold since my freshman year. I credit it to Mark and the individual time he spent with me...If you would have told me that I'd accomplish everything I have in these four years, I would have laughed. For me to come and play, to stay four years and get part of a school record out of it is beyond my thinking."

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Cross Country Women's Tennis Women's Volleyball Ice Hockey Men's Basketball Track & Field Women's Basketball Men's Tennis Softball Track & Field Athletic Training Staff Directory Lakers in the Pros Facilities Boosters SAAC Tickets Traditions Student Athlete Handbook Forms	Nov 14, 2007 LSSU setter Erin McLain to forego final year of eligibility Nov. 14, 2007 SAULT STE. MARIE - Lake Superior State junior setter Erin McLain has opted to forego her final year of eligibility in order to attend graduate school. She will leave the LSSU volleyball program ranked No. 2 in career assists. "If I wasn't planning on moving on, I'd definitely stick around for at least another semester," said McLain, an Alpena, Mich., native who plans to obtain a graduate degree in occupational therapy. "But I can't start graduate school midway through the year. This was not a decision that I made easily. It will be hard next year when I know the team is supposed to be starting, and I won't be there." McLain red-shirted as a true freshman in 2004-05 and is a senior academically. She needs only nine credit hours next semester to qualify for her undergraduate degree in exercise science. McLain was LSSU's lone setter in 2005-06 and totaled 1,123 assists, which ranks third on LSSU's single-season list. She split time with Liz Holden in 2006-07 and compiled 799 assists. McLain and Ashley Purvis shared playing time this season, and McLain finished with 821 assists. Through three seasons, McLain has 2,743 career assists, which is second only to former Laker Jamie Kjolhede ('99), who finished her career with 4,063. "It's definitely something that I'm proud to look back on," McLain said. "But I'm not a records checker. Stats aren't necessarily the most-important thing to me. Hitting percentage means more to the hitters than assists mean to me." As a setter, McLain is the team's play-maker, and her job is to create scoring opportunities for the hitters. Coach Mark Engle's offense is geared around verbal communication, and it demands that the setter take charge. Another Alpena setter who committed to LSSU during the fall signing period, Marie Stender, could follow in McLain's footsteps. "Melissa Doubek, my high school coach, wasn't shy about giving us the reigns," McLain said. "That taught us leadership and managing skills immediately. That has helped out so much. She told us, `You are calling plays. You are the quarterback of this team.'" McLain and her Laker teammates were tested by some of the nation's best Division II teams this season. Three conference opponents were ranked among the top 12 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25 poll at the end of the season. McLain carried the burden on her shoulders as the Lakers scrapped to an 8-22 finish. "My teammates will be the first to tell you that I'm pretty torn up when my expectations aren't met," said McLain, who was thankful for the outstanding student support at home matches this season. "But I still have the highest of expectations for them, and I can't wait to come back and watch." Playing college volleyball was not something McLain strongly considered until she was recruited by Lake Superior State, and she has surprised herself with how much she has grown during the past four years. "I went into a series of situations a little nervous, but came out of them a much-stronger and well-rounded player," McLain said. "I have improved ten-fold since my freshman year. I credit it to Mark and the individual time he spent with me...If you would have told me that I'd accomplish everything I have in these four years, I would have laughed. For me to come and play, to stay four years and get part of a school record out of it is beyond my thinking."