By By DAN WEISS / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- There is still a rivalry between Niles and Brandywine, but it was much less heated on the volleyball court Monday night.
Brandywine hosted the Vikings and came away with a 15-9, 9-15, 15-5, 15-6 non-conference victory.
The win lifted Brandywine to 25-13-7 while Niles dropped to 17-17-11.
Before the contest the Bobcats honored their seniors and, with the seniors in the starting lineup, cruised to a 15-9 victory in the first match.
Niles, however, fought back for a 15-9 win in the second game before falling in the last two matches.
Niles coach Jami Foster was disappointed with her team's play. The Vikings were called four times for being out of rotation, something Foster felt was characteristic of their play Monday night.
In celebration of Senior Night, Brandywine allowed regular starting setter Bridgett Mitchell play a hitting position and moved junior Emily Whitney to the setting position.
Emily Whitney finished with 10 kills and 25 assists.
One of the few bright spots for Niles was its serving, at times. The Vikings served up several aces.
Brandywine also had its share of success serving the ball. Foster felt her team's reaction to those serves may have been the deciding factor in the match.
Rachael Every led the Vikings with nine kills and Sarah Dreher added six. Niles managed just 20 kills on the night.
Sophomore Nikki Martyniuk led Brandywine with six blocks and Katie Tuohy added four.
This is the second straight year Brandywine has beaten Niles, but the Vikings won the matchup before that.
Gary Whitney feels the rivalry isn't as intense with Niles as it is with some teams in the Bobcats' own conference.
Both teams will play in their respective conference tournaments on Saturday.
Niles will take part in the Big 16 Conference Tournament at Portage Central High School.
Brandywine, which is in a four-way tie with Coloma, Edwardsburg and Berrien Springs for first place, will play in the Lakeland Conference Tournament at River Valley High School.