EDWARDSBURG — Christina Hans’ homecoming was spoiled Wednesday by the Edwardsburg volleyball team.

Hans, who’s in her first year as the Cassopolis varsity volleyball coach and is a 2009 Edwardsburg High School graduate, saw her Rangers fall to the Eddies, 25-23, 25-12, 25-17, in Lakeland Conference action.

“I was really nervous,” said Hans about coming back to her alma mater. “I thought everything was just going to buckle because my girls were as nervous as I was. But we came out in the first game and we rocked it. We did so well. When I played two years ago (at Edwardsburg), Cassopolis didn’t have a volleyball program and (Edwardsburg) was top in everything. I definitely think we’ll be top contenders in the next few years.”

Edwardsburg took the lead for good in game one at 7-6 after getting a kill from Lindsay Nunez. The Eddies widened their lead to 21-14 after getting another ace from Nunez. But the Rangers wouldn’t go down quietly. The visitors responded with a run and pulled within 24-23 after getting a kill from Devan Hillyer. The Rangers rally then ended in the opening game as a Cassopolis kill went into the net to give the game to Edwardsburg.

“I tried to make a little adjustment in the first game and then we went back to normal,” said Edwardsburg coach Sarah Benjamin. “It worked out better.”

In game two, an 11-0 run gave the Eddies a commanding 24-10 lead. Ally McIntee had four service aces and Bronnie Tafunai added two kills for the Eddies during that spurt.

“I think my offense kind of stepped up and that’s what I’ve been waiting for,” Benjamin said. “Our passing and serving has been there all year.”

Hans thought her team wasn’t relaxed in game two.

“I think our nerves hurt us,” Hans said. “Our players get down on themselves a little bit. They need to realize that their is a next ball and next point. They get a little nervous and things get out of control a little bit.”

In game three, four service aces from Nunez helped Edwardsburg take a 10-5 lead. Cassopolis never got closer than four points the rest of the game. A four-hit violation on Cassopolis sealed the game and match for Edwardsburg.

Alexis Blake had seven kills, Andrea LaPlace added six and Tafunai totaled five to lead Edwardsburg offensively. Serving standouts for the Eddies were Nunez, who had seven aces, and McIntee, who had five.

“I really thinked that Andrea LaPlace stepped up tonight offensively and defensively and Bronnie had some good swings,” Benjamin said. “Alexis Blake has also been carrying us as one of the middle hitters.”

The offensive leader for Cassopolis was Courtney Moore, who totaled seven kills. Moore is in her first year at Cassopolis after transferring from Three Rivers.

“She can get up and attack the ball,” Hans said.

Benjamin was asked about facing one of her former players.

“This is the first time I’ve had that happen,” Benjamin said. “There was a bit more pressure of wanting to win. But I want to win no matter who I’m facing.”

Edwardsburg. D. Cassopolis, 25-23, 25-12, 25-17

At Edwardsburg

Kills: Courtney Moore (C) 7, Alexis Blake (E) 7, Andrea LaPlace (E) 6, Bronnie Tafunai (E) 5

Blocks: Devan Hillyer (C) 3, Reese Ellison (C) 2, Blake (E) 2

Aces: Hillyer (C) 2, Lindsay Nunez (E) 7, Ally McIntee (E) 5, Macy Smith (E) 2.

Assists: Tori Baker (C) 11, Smith (E) 12

Digs: Jameka Eleazer (C) 5, Jocelyn Transou (C) 4, Moore (C) 3, McIntee (E) 3, LaPlace (E) 3, Madison Hatkevich (E) 3

Varsity record

Edwardsburg 10-11-2 overall, 3-0 Lakeland