Plymouth Christian fall sports tryouts: mix of emotions, excitement
Members of the PCA soccer team are pictured during tryouts for the 2025 season.
Fall sports tryouts began on Aug. 11, and student-athletes said goodbye to summer and hello to fall.
Tryouts can generate anxiety for the wide-eyed newcomer and the seasoned veteran alike. That anxiety can culminate in feelings of accomplishment or disappointment when the week is over.
The Plymouth Christian Academy boys soccer team is coming off an historic run in 2024. They reached the Division 4 State Final game for the first time in their history, and the Eagles are looking to continue the momentum while at the same time trying to replace some pieces lost from a strong senior class.
Freshman Cole Binder is trying to make the varsity team and is looking forward to the opportunity.
“I’m staying positive for the tryouts,” he says. “I know most of the guys on the team and it’s a chance to prove myself, get to know them better and play the sport that I love.”
Preparation is key
Binder has had some club experience, so he’s not a stranger to the tryout process.
“I think that having that tryout experience with club teams prepares you for this. I kind of know what to expect and that helps.”
Being prepared is helpful for student-athletes who are heading into the fall season.
Many athletes play in summer tournaments or leagues to try to get into the best shape possible for the grueling summer practices that start in the heat of summer and may end with snow on the ground.
“I tried to do as much as I could this summer,” says Binder. “I lifted weights, did the small group work-outs, and did skill work at home. My sister (Clare) is heading off to play college soccer, so it was good to work on some skills with a person who has a
similar drive.”
Mixed emotions
Senior Brock Bushey has a different view on tryouts.
“I’m excited, but also a bit sad. This will be the last time stepping on the field for the first time (of the season).”
Being older, Bushey is focused on preparing the younger players. “I need to set a good example,” he said. “They may not show it, but the freshmen are looking up to me. We have lofty expectations this year and everyone in the program can help us get back to the finals.”
Head Coach Ryan Thomason has seen plenty of tryout weeks. He’s been the Eagles soccer boss for the last seven years and is extremely prepared.
“I have practice plans created four years out,” he said. “I’m ready.”
Familiarity helps
He’s seen most of the players in some capacity throughout the year. Some play club in the summer, some he sees in small group work and he’s familiar with the returning players.
“I’m looking for players who are committed to the team and the game itself,” Thomason said. “That’s important. Attendance is key, too. The coaching staff is looking for kids who display technical ability, who are coachable, have tactical awareness and have the physical attributes.
“Are they fast, are they strong, and this is important – do they have a good attitude?”
The most difficult part of the week for Thomason is talking to the player who may not have been selected for the team that they wanted.
Tough discussions
“It’s hard having those discussion and I’m hoping that the player is self-aware. They know that they need work. But I remind them of their response – do they try and prove me wrong or do they rest on their laurels. It’s important that we push the guys who made varsity, too – they can’t be
satisfied with their current level. They need to improve as well.”
Another strong program at PCA is the girls volleyball team. They won two state championships in 2016 and 2017 and are always a threat to win the MIAC title and make a deep playoff run.
Making the varsity team is a challenge for underclassmen, especially this year, with roughly 30-plus girls trying out for 12-15 spots.
Sophomore Campbell Williams is giving it her best shot. And like Cole Binder, she is excited for tryouts.
“I’m excited about playing, a little nervous, but I’ve been doing all that I can,” said Williams. “I went to the open gyms. I had my dad help me with drills and I played beach volleyball whenever I could.”
Volleyball is vibrant at PCA
With six players on the court at one time, the volleyball roster is significantly smaller than soccer. Campbell plays a specific position – libero, the defensive specialist on the floor and it requires a specific skill set. She has been focusing on the skills needed to make a good impression on the coaches.
“I’ve been working on digging out serves and my passing,” she said.
She is taking a pragmatic approach to the final roster decisions.
“I’m playing well, I think. It could go either way. I’m not sure. But I know that I have worked hard, and I’ll be happy wherever I’m placed. I’m going to make friends no matter what. I’m really looking forward to playing.”
For senior Riley Pilat, tryouts have a different meaning.
Time flies …
“It’s weird being a senior and looking back to when I was a freshman,” Campbell said. “I don’t know why I was scared. I’m trying my best to show Christian leadership.
“I do remember what it was like and it’s important to make them feel comfortable and less nervous. I’m trying to make conversations and be an encouragement.”
Head Coach D.J. Kellogg has seen his fair share of tryouts. The 2024 MIAC Coach of the Year has had the week planned out for weeks.
“Today, (Monday), we go over the drills that we will be putting them through on Tuesday,” he explained. “We don’t want them too nervous during the evaluation process. They will know what will be coming.”
Tough foes bring out best in players
Kellogg will bring in a few outside evaluators to watch the players, making sure that all the judgements are impartial.
He wants to keep it fair, as everyone who tries out has a clean slate, and he’s looking for the best of the best for the varsity team. To prepare the squad for a rigorous Division III tournament, Kellogg schedules top DI and D II teams and plays the toughest tournaments.
His decisions will be difficult. There are over thirty girls trying out for the 12-15 varsity spots, and most of them have what it takes to earn a spot.
“We are looking for a player with position skills for sure,” Kellogg says. “But we look at the intangibles as well. Do they give maximum effort, do they hustle, do they give encouragement and most important, are they willing to make mistakes? When you make a mistake, you grow and become a better player.”
Kellogg counts on his seniors throughout the year and especially during tryouts. “We’re looking for our experienced players, our seniors, to show the top skills that come with experience but also the Christian leadership that is so important to our program.”
Tennis update
For boys tennis, numbers are a concern, but in the other direction.
Coach Josiah Ayudante would like to have a few more participants to boost his roster.
“Right now, we have 10 on the roster,” he said. “We would need two more to fill out all the flights (four singles and four doubles). We have talent on this team – we’re grateful for the co-op with Southfield Christian. That has worked well.”
The tryout process is a bit different for tennis, which is a no cut sport. Ayudante explains, “We cover all the basics early. We drill for these days, and I break down the individual strokes into small sections, then work our way up. Then, it’s repetition – and I get them moving. I’m excited to get going – I sense there will be a lot of competition, especially at the singles spots.”
Encouraging words
The coaches at PCA try to make the tryout process feel less daunting. Being prepared, encouraging everyone to learn and play their best while having experienced players pass down their knowledge lays the foundations for their programs.
Having this Christ-like willingness to consider the needs of others can be seen on the fields and courts. The teams that truly support one another and show respect to each other are the teams that can succeed.
Eagle fans are hoping that these core beliefs will help guide their teams to MHSAA tournament titles.
Thank you very much to Michael Costello for contributing this article and photos to SocialHouseNews.com. We appreciate you!
