Central Michigan University Athletics
Senior Megan Kern leads the Chippewas, and ranks third in the Mid-American Conference, in digs per set.
Photo by: Allissa Rusco
Kern Grows As Volleyball Program Blossoms
10/1/2019 1:37:00 PM | Volleyball
Senior libero always willing to lend a hand
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Central Michigan University Senior Megan Kern likes to help others -- whether it be volunteering at a local nursing home during the summer or providing in-home companionship with a senior -- and she incorporates that philosophy on the volleyball court as well.
"Part of what makes her a great teammate is her ability to help our offense through defense," CMU coach Mike Gawlik said. "When she digs a ball it isn't just a defensive move, it can also turn into offense because, if done the right way, it helps our offense get into position to attack."
Gawlik said he saw those qualities in Kern when she was still playing in high school, and he watched her play soon after he became CMU's coach four years ago. Kern was recruited under the previous coaching staff and Gawlik said he wanted to make sure she had what he was looking for as he prepared to take the program in a new direction.
"Sometimes coaching staffs can have a different vision," Gawlik said. "We needed players that were going to be dedicated and be present emotionally, physically and mentally and Megan did all of the above."
Fast forward to today, Kern is in her fourth year as a starter and is a defensive leader on a 12-2 team that is off to one of the best starts in program history and has high expectations this season. The Chippewas are 2-0 in league play after sweeping their conference-opening weekend on the road, losing just one set in winning at Northern Illinois and at Western Michigan.
Kern is also succeeding off the court with a 3.97 grade point average as a biomedical sciences major. She has earned the MAC Defensive Player of the Week Award in each of the past two weeks, and last week was named the MAC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Week.
"She definitely is an essential part of the success of the program this year and has impressed me with the way she approaches the game in terms of helping her team succeed," Gawlik said.
Kern agreed.
"Coach helped make me and my fellow freshmen feel comfortable," she said. "We got along really well and had no problem meshing."
Kern said one of the reasons she got along so well is because Gawlik was also a defender when he played and so they had an immediate connection.
"He is also very straight forward with his expectations," she said. "I could tell this was going to work well right away."
Kern and the team are hoping that familiarity will help propel the team to be a force to be reckoned with in the MAC this season, after an impressive nonconference slate and a good start to league play.
"We are excited about it," Kern said. "This has been the best start to a season since I have been here, and I look forward to seeing how it ends."
Teamwork will also be important for Kern post-graduation, as she said she wants to be a physician's assistant and wants to work in the athletic training field.
"I want to stay in athletics and work with other athletes on their health and wellness," she said.
Kern said before every match the volleyball team makes individual "I Will" statements, and that she almost always claims she will get the most digs as possible every game.
It is working, as Kern ranks third in the MAC in digs per set (5.18) and Gawlik could not be happier.
"She has worked so well on her platform," he said. "Her control is exceptional, the way she manipulates a dig into our system, so that it quickly can turn into an attack instead of a free ball for the other team. Her first step is really fast."
He said he is proud of how Kern has grown since that first practice on campus.
"She is always ready to allow her game to grow," he said. "She is always where she needs to be."
For Kern, the place to be has been Central Michigan University, a decision that has paid off all the way around.
"Love our coaches, love our team," she said. "All the hard work has been paying off so far in my last season and I will never forget my time here."
"Part of what makes her a great teammate is her ability to help our offense through defense," CMU coach Mike Gawlik said. "When she digs a ball it isn't just a defensive move, it can also turn into offense because, if done the right way, it helps our offense get into position to attack."
Gawlik said he saw those qualities in Kern when she was still playing in high school, and he watched her play soon after he became CMU's coach four years ago. Kern was recruited under the previous coaching staff and Gawlik said he wanted to make sure she had what he was looking for as he prepared to take the program in a new direction.
"Sometimes coaching staffs can have a different vision," Gawlik said. "We needed players that were going to be dedicated and be present emotionally, physically and mentally and Megan did all of the above."
Fast forward to today, Kern is in her fourth year as a starter and is a defensive leader on a 12-2 team that is off to one of the best starts in program history and has high expectations this season. The Chippewas are 2-0 in league play after sweeping their conference-opening weekend on the road, losing just one set in winning at Northern Illinois and at Western Michigan.
Kern is also succeeding off the court with a 3.97 grade point average as a biomedical sciences major. She has earned the MAC Defensive Player of the Week Award in each of the past two weeks, and last week was named the MAC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Week.
"She definitely is an essential part of the success of the program this year and has impressed me with the way she approaches the game in terms of helping her team succeed," Gawlik said.
Kern agreed.
"Coach helped make me and my fellow freshmen feel comfortable," she said. "We got along really well and had no problem meshing."
Kern said one of the reasons she got along so well is because Gawlik was also a defender when he played and so they had an immediate connection.
"He is also very straight forward with his expectations," she said. "I could tell this was going to work well right away."
Kern and the team are hoping that familiarity will help propel the team to be a force to be reckoned with in the MAC this season, after an impressive nonconference slate and a good start to league play.
"We are excited about it," Kern said. "This has been the best start to a season since I have been here, and I look forward to seeing how it ends."
Teamwork will also be important for Kern post-graduation, as she said she wants to be a physician's assistant and wants to work in the athletic training field.
"I want to stay in athletics and work with other athletes on their health and wellness," she said.
Kern said before every match the volleyball team makes individual "I Will" statements, and that she almost always claims she will get the most digs as possible every game.
It is working, as Kern ranks third in the MAC in digs per set (5.18) and Gawlik could not be happier.
"She has worked so well on her platform," he said. "Her control is exceptional, the way she manipulates a dig into our system, so that it quickly can turn into an attack instead of a free ball for the other team. Her first step is really fast."
He said he is proud of how Kern has grown since that first practice on campus.
"She is always ready to allow her game to grow," he said. "She is always where she needs to be."
For Kern, the place to be has been Central Michigan University, a decision that has paid off all the way around.
"Love our coaches, love our team," she said. "All the hard work has been paying off so far in my last season and I will never forget my time here."
Players Mentioned
Libero
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