By By ADAM FISHER / Niles Daily Star
Buchanan's volleyball team might lack heighth, but they make up for it in other ways accorind to first-year head coach Lisa Holok.
Buchanan starts its season Saturday at Cassopolis. This year's Bucks are looking to better their record from last season, which hovered around .500. They have the advantage of returning four varsity players from last season - Jacyln Mummaw, Heather Lentz, Hailey Burks, Stacy Borr.
They will have to improve under the guidance of Holok, who is in her first head coaching position. She's quick to point out, however, that she's been around volleyball all her life and knows the game very well.
Holok played for Grand Valley for four seasons before graduating last year. She's also coached various levels of the game at Lakeshore, her alma mater.
Holok came to Buchanan as an English teacher in the middle of last school year. The semester teaching before she took over as head coach allowed her to become familiar with the team and its athletes, she said.
The coach said she likes the mix of players this year's squad has. Buchanan has five seniors, five juniors, two sophomores and a freshman. All the juniors played junior varsity last season.
The Bucks have two meets to warm up before they face rival River Valley Wednesday in their home-opener. Holok said her team is looking forward to the clash with the Mustangs, as well as the matchup with Brandywine on Feb. 2.
Buchanan is also geared up, Holok said, for Jan. 29, when it hosts its own tournament, the Buck Classic.
Of course, Holok has another date circled on her personal calendar - Dec. 18 when Buchanan plays in the Lakeshore Tournament.
She doesn't know yet if the Bucks will face the Lancers, but Holok is excited about the chance to coach against her alma mater.