By By TOM NYHUIS / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN - It was a night of celebration in Buchanan as it only took three games for the Lady Bucks to dismantle Berrien Springs in varsity volleyball action Wednesday night at Buchanan High School.
Playing its final season home game, the Lady Bucks began the night celebrating senior night, recognizing their four seniors, Katrina Weldy, Laura Kulis, Hayley Burks and Jill Woodrick. The Lady Bucks followed that by posting the Lakeland Conference victory with wins of 25-21, 25-18 and 25-19 to cap off the nights celebrations.
"I feel like our seniors focus was on executing," Buchanan coach Lisa Holok said. "Besides our serving, our defense was dominating tonight. Three of our girls were really sick so I'm just glad that they hung in there and tried to fight through it. This was just a really good way to end out the year here at home." Buchanan will head into the conference tournament with a 4-3 league mark while the Shamrocks will sport a 3-4 LAC record.
For Buchanan, Emily Ross had four kills, two blocks, 25 assists and three digs. Hayley Burks came away with five kills, 33 digs and an ace. Jill Woodrick finished with six kills, 24 digs and two aces, while Katrina Weldy had five digs, six kills and one block.
Freshman Courtney Miller totaled nine digs, eight kills and three aces and Lindsey Borr ended the night with 30 digs. Mattie Arndt recorded two kills and four blocks with Laura Kulis adding two kills and two blocks.
"We just have been continuously building through the season. We're peaking at the right time of the year. The girls play very well together and they are just continuing to build one game after another. They learn, they adjust and they just work very hard and everything they have earned so far has been well deserved," Holok said.
Buchanan's next game is at Allegan on February 21.