Dowagiac’s volleyball team saw Thursday what it takes to be a perennial state volleyball power.

No. 3-ranked (Class B) and six-time defending Wolverine Conference champion Plainwell powered past the Chieftains, 25-15, 25-10, 25-8.

“This is the best team we’ve played so far this year,” said first-year Dowagiac coach Sara Lawrence. “That’s a really good program over there and I’m starting from scratch with our program and trying to teach the basics.”

Experience, talent and size are spread throughout the Trojans’ lineup as Plainwell has back six starters from last year’s team which advanced to the Class B state quarterfinals.

Leading the list of returning players for Plainwell are Georgetown University recruit Laureen Saar and Eastern Michigan University recruit Alyssa Davis. Against Dowagiac, the 5-foot-11 Saar had 11 kills and Davis, who stands 5-foot-10, had 32 assists and five service aces. Saar had five kills and the game-winning service ace in the first game for the Trojans.

“I think, potentially, we could be a very good team,” said eighth-year Plainwell coach Carolann Davis. “We need to make sure that we stay focused. This team has a tendency to give too many points away in a row. If we stay focused I think we have a shot of doing something big.”

Saar’s two kills and a service ace from Melanie Hyames helped Plainwell jump out to a 7-2 lead in game one. That deficit forced Lawrence to call a time-out. Lawrence called three time-outs during the match, while Davis called none.

“My message to the team was to battle, win or lose, and give their best,” Lawrence said.

Plainwell’s lead in game one grew to 16-5 before Dowagiac rallied to pull within 17-10. But the hosts got no closer as the Trojans finished out the game.

“We came out a little lethargic,” Carolann Davis said. “Then we tried to adjust to what they were giving us. It took us until game two to do that.”

In game two, Plainwell scored 19 of the first 23 points. Kerry Swain, who stands 5-foot-9, had four kills to lead Plainwell offensively during that stretch. Swain finished with six kills.

Dowagiac was outscored, 16-2, to finish game three. Plainwell’s Krystin George, who’s 5-foot-9, had six of her 10 kills in game three.

“I felt we picked up the tempo in game two and three,” Carolann Davis said. “I was really pleased with our play in those games.”

According to Lawrence, there were some good moments from her squad.

“I saw some progress from Rachel McLaughlin,” Lawrence said. “She had some good blocks and did a good job of covering. Jessica Herthoge and Kristyn Turner did a good job at libero.”

Plainwell d. Dowagiac 25-15, 25-10, 25-8

Kills: Lauren Saar (P) 11, Krystin George (P) 10, Kerry Swain (P) 6, Hannah Varley (P) 4, Whitney Donaldson (D) 2.

Blocks: Varley (P) 4, Saar (P) 3.

Aces: Alyssa Davis (P) 5, Melanie Hyames (P) 4, Carly Nieboer (P) 3, Swain (P) 2, Saar (P) 2, Jessica Holmes (D) 1.

Assists: Davis (P) 32.

Digs: Hyames (P) 5, Nieboer (P) 4, Carly Polomcak (D) 4, Jessica Herthoge (D) 3, Donaldson (D) 2.

Records: Plainwell 21-6-1 overall (4-0 Wolverine Conference).