KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Members of the Western Michigan University women’s volleyball team are involved in a competition with some experienced members of the Kalamazoo community.
The Broncos are taking on some residents at the Fountains at Bronson Place in a spirited chair volleyball competition.
80-year-old Ken Dettloff, a Fountains resident who is the creator of the games, said that “we told the ladies from WMU from the start not to take it easy on us. They’ve been true to their word and let me tell you, there’s some fun trash talk taking place.”
Dettloff says that the games are attended very well, and the upcoming match February 17 is for bragging rights.
She says that some relatives of the residents who participate say that the exercise is proving to be very beneficial, and they are enjoying the activity.
Sydney Leroy, a Western Michigan doctoral student currently doing research at Bronson Place for her capstone project, agrees. “The pandemic really had a huge impact on socialization,” she said. “It’s so wonderful to see those interactions returning. When residents come to volleyball, you can see the joy on their faces.”
While Leroy isn’t a volleyball player, she has filled in a couple of times when the WMU team has been a person short.
“Both sides really get into it!” she said. “The Fountains really goes above and beyond in their offerings to residents and this competition is just icing on the cake!”
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