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Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009

Sean Lynch: Merced College on the campaign trail

The Merced College volleyball team has enjoyed a unique perspective into local government this semester that a collegiate course wouldn't be able to provide.

MC assistant coach Mary-Michal Rawling let head coach Jessica Casey know of her plans to run for a seat on the Merced City Council over the summer and the team has had a behind-the-scenes look at her campaign.

"It's important sometimes to remember that there's a world beyond Merced College," Casey said. "I think it's been a really good thing for the girls to see what goes into a campaign and to even get involved to some degree."

Casey and Rawling encouraged the whole team to get registered and cast a vote -- though only four of them were involved in the Merced election.

"I think it's pretty cool," sophomore outside hitter Melissa Ralls said. "I've never known anyone involved in a race before, so it was really interesting to learn about."

Like a good civil servant, Rawling wisely used her available resources.

"We were happy to help out," setter Laura Meller said. "When we'd go on road trips, she'd give us envelopes to stamp and fill, or we'd pop out the little buttons that say 'Vote for Mary-Michal Rawling.' "

Casey and her husband, MC football assistant coach Bob Casey, joined Rawling at her makeshift campaign headquarters at J & R Tacos after Tuesday's practice to wait for the results.

"The support from the team has been great," Rawling said. "I didn't have to do a hard sell. Coach Casey explained early in the season that I might not always be around because I was going to do this.

"Right away a few of them came up to me and asked if they could help in any way.

"A lot of them had questions about what the city council does. It was really nice to get to educate them on the whole process."

The group also got a lesson in hard wark paying off with Rawling winning her seat.

* * *

The MC football team's passing numbers haven't been as big as coach Mark Kaanapu had hoped for.

But freshman wide receiver Eddie Beavers has quietly pieced together a nice season.

His five catches in a loss to Laney last week give him 49 for the season.

His team-leading total is good enough to tie him for eighth in the state and his average of more than six catches per game is tied for 11th.

* * *

The Merced College basketball season is set to open up next week for both the men and women.

Men's coach Bill Russell and his squad will open the 2009-10 campaign on the road against Gavilan on Nov. 11.

The Lady Devils will get underway a day later, when Allen Huddleston's squad hosts its annual tournament.

The MC men will play its Blue/White scrimmage today at 4 p.m.

* * *

Kailey Carter was a little snake-bitten as the Merced College women's water polo team closed out the second half of the regular season.

MC coach Bill Halpin said Carter put herself in all the right positions offensively, but was unlucky with her finishing.

That doesn't mean that Carter hasn't been productive, though.

The 2-meter swimmer finished the regular season with a state-best 46 assists.

A good deal of those have gone to freshman driver Rebekah Dawn.

Dawn has been on fire the last month, finishing tied for ninth in the state with 60 goals.

The duo will try to continue connecting as the Lady Devils head into Friday's Coast Conference Tournament.

Sean Lynch is a Sun-Star sports writer. He can be reached at 385-2476 or via e-mail at slynch@mercedsun-star.com.