Tuesday’s Lakeland Conference volleyball matchup between the Brandywine Bobcats and the Cassopolis Rangers started out as if it were going to be a one-sided affair and a very quick night for everyone involved.

However, by the end of the evening, it was proved be the exact opposite.

Cassopolis improved its record to 9-10-3 with a 3-2 (25-21, 25-12, 21-25, 22- 25, 15-11), win in a marathon match that both showcased the indefatigableness of both squads and exemplified all of the qualities that make any sporting event wonderful to take part in.

At the match’s onset, the Rangers came out like a house of fire, challenging every Bobcat shot, setting up their big strikers, and dominating in nearly every facet of the game.

“They played with a tenacious hunger in the beginning. They had something to prove to themselves and they played like it out of the gate,” Ranger coach Ray Prestly said.

After a dismal second game for Brandywine, Cass looked poised to secure a surprising and dominant sweep of its old rival.

But the Bobcats clearly had other plans.

Brandywine showed its resiliency in the third and fourth games by reversing the roles the two teams had been playing up to that point.

The Bobcats seized control of both games, and essentially the match, by using relentless defense and well-choreographed attacks to douse the inferno that was the Rangers’ play.

Though they appeared to take all of the wind from the Rangers’ sails, the Bobcats couldn’t sustain the level of play that evened the match, and the pendulum swayed back into Cass’ favor as it closed out the match on a 6-2 run.

“I’m really proud of the way we fought back after such a bad start, but at the same time, I wish we wouldn’t keep putting ourselves in that situation. It’s kind of been our thing this year. But we’re young and we’re still learning,” Brandywine Coach Carl Greulich said.

Both teams will be back at it next Tuesday, when the Bobcats host Buchanan at 5:30pm and the Ranger’s travel to Dowagiac at 7pm.

 

Brandywine Statistics

Kills

Michaela Hartline 14

Olivia DePriest 12

Sydney Carlson 10

Makenna Hartline 3

Rachelle Dodge 1

 

Digs

Abbey Cole 23

Carlson 14

Justine Sater 12

Michaela Hartline 11

Makenna Harltine 5

DePriest 4

 

Assists

Erwin 31

Bolen 7

 

Aces

Carlson 2

Cole 2

Michaela Hartline 1

Erwin 1