In July 2022, Flagler Alumni Rachel Machovec decided to drive home after working an unfulfilling sales job for two months. On the way, she passed GC’s campus and thought what if she goes back to school for grad school and volleyball.

“I realized sales is not where I wanted to be,” Machovec said. “The transactional relationship of corporate America was not giving me enough as a person.”

Machovec soon contacted head coach Gretchen Krumdieck and was elected to the All-PBC team in a matter of no time. She is one of several transfer students on GC’s volleyball team in addition to eleven new players.

Inspired by her teacher parents, she began a graduate program in education so that she can teach marketing and business skills to high students. Machovec believes she will find her purpose at GC by playing volleyball and working on her master’s degree. 

The volleyball team has been struggling to perform in the last couple seasons despite having several star players. In 2021, the Bobcats as a team averaged 10.34 kills per set, 9.32 blocks per set, 1.95 blocks per set and a 10-22 overall score.

“The past couple seasons we have not lived up to what we should live up to,” said senior returning star player Emily Long. “We have had so much talent, but we could not necessarily follow through and execute.”

Machovec comes from Flagler University, who had an outstanding record. In her last season, she placed seventh in kills per set and tenth in digs per set (2.95) in the PBC. Machovec led her team with 254 kills (2.67/set), 254 digs (2.95/set), 27 service aces and eight double-doubles.

Head coach Krumdieck believes Machovec’s voice and natural leadership will make a great addition to the team.

“She has got a really good volleyball IQ and a lot of experience on the court playing at this level and in our conference,” Krumdieck said.

Machovec is adjusting to the team quite well, and she has already formed a strong bond with the other girls on and off the court. 

“I have never had a team where every single person is your best friend,” Machovec said. 

Machovec did not play in the August 26 and 27 matches because of her shoulder flaring up from an old injury. 

Machovec suffered a shoulder injury her freshmen year of college and continued playing for a month after. One of her goals this season is to play without pain in her shoulder.

The Bobcats lost their home openers in the 2022 Bobcat Classic to West Virginia State (0-3) in three sets and Limestone University (2-3) in five sets to start the season. 

GC turned it around in their second match with a straight-set victory (3-0) over Southern Wesleyan, making it their first win of the season. 

The Bobcats also went 2-1 in the Mars Hill tournament. GC beat King University (3-0) in three sets and Coker (3-0) in three sets. They ended the tournament falling to Mars Hill University (0-3) in three sets. 

GC volleyball currently holds a 3-3 record.