By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN - The Brandywine varsity volleyball team was able to pull off another win against host Buchanan Wednesday night, 25-10, 25-15, 25-16.
The win keeps the Bobcats undefeated in the Lakeland Conference.
The first game was a fast one with Brandywine taking a quick 11-3 lead over the Bucks. Buchanan struggled on both sides of the net causing some errors and adding points to the Bobcats' score. Brandywine ended the first game with a 25-10 win.
Katie Tuohy and Nikki Cooper both started the second game off for the Bobcats with kills. The Bucks were able to take an early 4-2 lead, but Brandywine quickly came back to take the 6-4 lead. Both teams got a good volley going, but it was Buchanan which came up with the point on a Bobcat error.
The Bucks brought it together more in the second game, but not enough to claim the victory. Cooper served up an ace for the final point of the second giving Brandywine a 25-15 win.
Buchanan again was able to take an early 5-2 lead to start the third game, but Brandywine was able to come back and tie the score at five. A back row kill from Ashley Antus put the Bobcats ahead. The game stayed close with the Bucks only slipping behind by a few points, but kills from Cooper and Tuohy and a block and kill from Emily Whitney gave the Bobcats a good lead to run with. They ended the third match 25-16, giving them the overall game victory.
The loss now puts Buchanan at 3-3 in the LAC. Brandywine improves to 6-0 in the LAC. It is tied for first with Coloma, who it will face next Wednesday at home.
Whitney had 34 assists, two blocks for Brandywine. Tuohy came up with 10 kills and Cooper had eight kills, three aces. Kelly Zache had 12 digs and Antus had 11 for the Bobcats.
Emily Ross had 15 assists for Buchanan. Hayley Burks and Heather Lentz both had 10 digs and Stacy Borr had seven kills for the Bucks.
Buchanan's junior varsity team was able to pick up a win against the Bobcats with a split and the 15-13 win in the third game.
Brandywine travels to the Bronson Invitational this Saturday. Tournament play begins at 9 a.m.
Buchanan travels to Lake Michigan College Tournament this Saturday. Games begin at 9 a.m.