Buchanan sweeps Brandywine in Lakeland Conference showdown
Published 11:41 am Friday, September 23, 2022
Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK
Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK
Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK
Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK
Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK
Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK
Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK
Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK
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NILES — The showdown between Lakeland Conference leaders turned out to be a lopsided affair at Brandywine High School Thursday night.
The Bucks, who came into the match at 13-2 overall and 1-0 in league play, swept the Bobcats, who were 12-3-2 overall and 1-0 in conference contests, 25-17, 25-10 and 25-18.
Buchanan Coach Shelly Bossert was happy to get the road conference win.
“I thought my middles had a great game tonight,” she said. “We had aggressive serves and that really helped us get momentum in the middle of the game. I think at this point in the season, we are playing well but not at our best. We are a really good team and it’s fun to watch this group play. My goal is for them to keep getting better and better each game.”
The Bucks’ middle hitters — sisters Faith [senior] and Alyssa [sophomore] Carson — combined for 18 kills and seven blocks. Faith Carson led Buchanan with 12 kills, while Alyssa Carson had six kills to go along with five blocks.
The Bucks also got plenty of help from senior outside hitter Josie West, who ended the match with nine kills, six digs and three aces. Alyvia Hickok contributed 32 assists with Chloe Aalfs adding five kills, six digs and a team-high five aces. Riley Capron led the team with 12 digs.
Brandywine Coach Emily Zablocki Kohler said her team took on two opponents Thursday night.
“We found ourselves in a battle with ourselves tonight, and we did not play our best or to our potential in the first two sets,” she said. “I was happy to see the team pick themselves up and play the third set more to the level of their capabilities. Our unforced errors were our biggest downfall tonight and figuring out a plan to cut those down is a top priority for us going forward.”
Kohler added that good teams take advantage of a team that is struggling.
“Buchanan seized every opportunity we gave them and forced us to work hard for every point we earned,” she said. “We’ll use this as a learning experience and come back stronger for the next meeting and our next conference match against Dowagiac.”
Kadence Brumitt led the Bobcats with eight kills and nine digs. Clara DePriest added three kills and 19 assists, while Hope Typer led Brandywine with 10 digs.
