VICKSBURG — The opening round of the MHSAA Class B District tournament at Vicksburg saw two familiar foes in Dowagiac and Edwardsburg square off for the right to play in the semifinals Wednesday against Three Rivers.

Earlier in the season, Edwardsburg had the Chieftains’ number, sweeping them 3-0 by scores of 25-8, 25-21 and 25-20.

This time around Dowagiac was unable to get as close, as the Eddies made quick work of the Chieftains in 59 minutes and swept them 3-0 by scores of 25-13, 25-16, and 25-10.

Edwardsburg, looking to win its first district title since 2007, was led by junior Audrey Bellina, who had 18 kills on the night.

“She is playing her best at the right time,” Edwardsburg coach Chrissy Breisch said. “She added to her excellent weekend at the Wolverine Conference Tournament.”

“She is an all-star,” Dowagiac Coach Rachel Zeider added. “Her fundamentals, her vision on the court. She is a very, very good player.”

From the beginning of the match Edwardsburg led almost the entire way, getting out to a 15-8 lead in the first set until a timeout was called. Soon after, another timeout was called by Dowagiac with the score 21-10 Edwardsburg.

Edwardsburg would then win the first set 25-13.

Continuing the momentum into the second set, the Eddies jumped out to a quick 9-4 lead before the Chieftains made it interesting at 11-9. That was until Edwardsburg junior Eme Edman tallied six straight points to open the second set wide open at 17-11.

The Eddies would then add another 6-0 run and make it 23-12.

Dowagiac looked to make things interesting going on a run of its own, until a missed hit gave the Eddies the final point in the second set.

The Chieftains, though, started off the third set going up 3-0.

Edwardsburg would then rattle off 14 of the next 19 points and make it 14-8. The Eddies took the third set 25-10.

Given the win, Breisch knows that in district play, it’s the little things that can make it or break it.

“We need to make sure we come to play at every game and keep up the energy,” Breisch said. “Tonight was not necessarily our best. There was some miscommunication tonight and you can’t have that in Districts. But I do like the way we came together though.”

The Eddies also got five kills from Brayden Curtis and four kills from Skye Leach. Natalie Longo and Emma Nelson with 12 and six digs, respectively. Claire Alby had three aces and 31 assists.

The Chieftains were led by Taylor Hulett and Amiyah Smith with 10 and 3 kills respectively. Kassidy Binns had 16 assists and Natalie Davis had 18 digs.

 

EDWARDSBURG 3, DOWAGIAC 0

At Vicksburg

Match results

Edwardsburg 25-8, 25-21, 25-20.
Edwardsburg individual statistics

Audrey Bellina 18 kills

Brayden Curtis 5 kills

Skye Leach 4 kills

Natalie Longo 12 digs

Emma Nelson 6 digs

Claire Alby 3 aces, 31 assists

 

Dowagiac individual statistics

Kills

Taylor Hulett 10

Amiyah Smith 3

Digs

Natalie Davis 18

Assists

Kassidy Binns 16