By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN - For the second weekend in a row, the Buchanan varsity volleyball team has claimed a tournament championship.
Last weekend, the Bucks walked away champs at the Edwardsburg Invitational and on Saturday, they claimed their own Buck Classic title.
Buchanan took on Niles on the final round, which lasted three games.
The Bucks fell in the first game to the Vikings, 21-19, but rallied to win the last two, 21-19 and 15-12.
In the semifinals, Buchanan defeated Three Rivers, 21-13, 21-11.
The Vikings took on Brandywine in the semifinals and took the win in three games.
Niles fell in the first game, 21-14 and won the last two, 21-15 and 15-7.
In pool play, Buchanan was defeated by Brandywine, 21-11 and 21-8. The Bucks won the rest of their games, defeating New Buffalo 21-16, 21-8; Cass 21-11, 21-17; and Benton Harbor 21-16, 21-15.
Niles split a pair of games with River Valley, falling in the first game 21-18 and taking the 21-9 win in the second.
The Vikes also split with Three Rivers, winning the first game 21-20 and falling in the second, 21-15.
Against Eau Claire, Niles won the first game 21-13, before falling in the second, 21-15.
The Vikes won both games against Berrien Springs, 21-9, 21-16.
Statistically for the Bucks, Courtney Miller had 16 kills, two blocks and 29 digs. Lindsey Borr had 53 digs. Katrina Weldy had three aces, 22 kills and 15 blocks. Mattie Arndt had four aces, 10 kills and 10 blocks.
Hayley Burks had 17 aces, 11 kills and 62 digs. Jill Woodrick had two aces, 25 kills and 54 digs and Emily Ross had four aces, 23 kills, 68 assists, and 17 digs.
For the Vikings, Maddy Peterek had 57 assists, 26 digs and three acs. Katie Bourbainnas had 12 kills, three blocks, four aces and 10 digs. Mehgen Flynn had eight kills, two blocks, three aces and four digs. Claire Molnar had six kills, three aces and 20 digs. Karly Kennedy had three kills, one ace and 16 digs. Kaylynn Stephenson had 14 kills, one block, six aces and 26 digs. Sam Brawley had 51 digs and Kylee Mudd had 19 kills, five aces and 10 digs.
Brandywine's stats were unavailable at press time.
All-Tournament team honors went to Ross of Buchanan, Kelli Zache of Brandywine and Brawley of Niles.
Brandywine and Buchanan will meet again this week for a Lakeland Conference game on Wednesday. Freshmen and JV will begin at 6 p.m., with varsity following.
Niles will host Coloma tonight at 6 p.m. and will travel to Lakeshore on Wednesday for a Big 16 match-up.