By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
WATERVLIET - The Brandywine volleyball team fell to three time defending Southwestern Atheltic Conference champions Watervliet in the final game of the Class C districts Saturday evening. Watervliet had the home court advantage hosting the districts and one could see why they are undefeated in the SAC.
Kim Gear, a 6-foot-2 senior, lead Watervliet in kills and blocks and was one of Brandywine's biggest problems.
The Bobcats, who beat Eau Claire in the first game 25-8, 25-23, 25-14 and Bridgman in the semifinals 25-13, 25-22, 25-17, fell short in the first three matches of the final game.
In the first match it was Brandywine who took a quick 2-0 lead on two tips from senior Katie Tuohy, but Watervliet responded fast and before the Bobcats knew it the Panthers had as much as a 10 point lead over them.
Watervliet took the 25-17 first match win.
The second game did not start out to the Bobcats' advantage as they fell behind 9-0 early in the match. A tip by Emily Whitney gave Brandywine its first point of the and a kill by Nikki Cooper put them on the board 10-2. Both teams took turns scoring, but Watervliet claimed the 25-12 victory in a quick second match.
Tables turned in the third match with Brandywine quickly jumping ahead of the Panthers. A kill from Whitney, two from Brooke Allen and two errors on Watervliet's part gave the Bobcats a 5-0 lead. The Panthers got their first point on an error from Whitney, but Kelli Zache pulled of another kill for Brandywine to keep them up by five. Brandywine was able to go ahead by seven points at one time, but Watervliet cameback and came within two points of Branywine halfway through the match. The Panthers tied the game up at 17 and took the lead after four Brandywine errors in a row to bring the score to 21-17. A few last minute attempts from the Bobcats brought them within one point 24-23, but a net violation on Brandywine's side put an end to the Bobcats' season and allowed the Panthers to walk away champions once again.
Emily Whitney had 74 assists, 25 digs, seven aces and three blocks for Brandywine. Katie Tuohy had 20 kills, 11 aces and three blocks. Nikki Cooper had 34 digs, 20 kills. Kelli Zache had 23 digs, eight aces. Nikki Martyniuk had 18 kills and Ashley Antus had 23 digs for the Bobcats.
Watervliet now plays the winner of the Fenville Districts Sat. March 5 at 11:30 a.m. in Regional play at Buchanan High School.