By By TOM NYHUIS / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN – River Valley captured its first Class C District volleyball crown in 20 years Saturday at Buchanan High School. The Mustangs defeated Brandywine in three games, 24-14, 25-11, 25-23, in the championship match.
Buchanan, host of the District 65 Class C tournament, was defeated earlier in the day by the Mustangs 23-25, 25-16, 25-23, 25-16 to eliminate the Lady Bucks and end their season with a 27-20 record and set up the Bobcat, Mustang match up.
Brandywine advanced to the championship match with 14-25, 25-9, 25-12, 25-18 victory over Watervliet in the first semifinal of the day.
According to Mustang coach Jim Ragosta, his team wasn't playing up to its full potential in Saturdays action.
"We weren't totally on our game today against Buchanan in the opening match, but our defense picked up and then our net play, which is a big part or our game, picked up in the championship match. Our outside got involved a little bit more. It was just a really good team effort. Even though we are holding that district plaque today we probably played at 75 to 80 percent and my girls know they didn't play their best game," Ragosta said.
Despite the loss, Brandywine coach Martin Klubeck still had a smile on his face even after the three-match loss to the Mustangs.
"I was very happy with the girls. They played well and we peeked at the right time of the year and hopefully we will do even better next year."
Brandywine made a run at the Mustangs in the third game taking a 23-20 led but couldn't hold on as the Mustangs quickly rattled off five quick points to take the crown.
"I was not disappointed, I kind of almost predicted that and almost predicted us winning that third game, but was wrong at that prediction. They (River Valley) are a good strong team and have two strong hitters so I expected them to give us a good match and they did. I was hoping it would be better in the first two games but didn't have a problem with them winning the first two, still I thought we could come back and win the next three from the beginning but that prediction didn't come through. Next year, next year will," Klubeck assured.
The Lady Bucks, who will only lose two seniors for this years squad, used this season to lay a solid foundation for next year.
"We played very hard," Buchanan coach Lisa Holok said following the loss to River Valley. "Each point was pretty much was a dog fight and there was no easy points throughout that whole game. I was just really proud the way we started in that first game and tried to keep that momentum, intensity and that fire throughout the whole game. Unfortunately it didn't work out the way we had it planned. It's been a rocky and up and down season but it has just made us stronger in the end and we learned how to face that adversary and it just brought us together. That was the whole point of the year, learning how to play as one team and do it together and that's what we did today. We set a good foundation for next season, we'll definitely be a threat for next year," Holok said.
Brandywine Stat Total
vs. Watervliet
Brooke Allen 2 digs
Mallory Barber 2 digs, 5 kills, 2 blocks
Katie Smallwood 3 digs, 10 kills, 1 ace, 3 blocks
Kendra Zache 4 digs, 11 kills, 4 aces, 1 block
Melissa Cooper 19 digs, 1 assist, 10 kills, 4 aces, 2 blocks
Emily Low 11 digs, 40 assists, 1 ace, 2 blocks
Alexa Perry 20 digs, 2 aces,
Jenna Harris 2 digs, 7 kills, 1 block
Julie Barnett 4 digs
vs. River Valley
Brooke Allen 4 digs, 1 assist
Mallory Barber 2 digs, 3 kills, 2 blocks
Katie Smallwood 5 digs, 4 kills, 4 blocks
Kendra Zache 7 digs, 6 kills,
Melissa Cooper 16 digs, 8 kills, 1 ace, 2 blocks
Emily Low 5 digs, 19 assists, 1 ace
Alexa Perry 18 digs
Jenna Harris 2 digs
Julie Barnett 3 digs
River Valley Stats- Championship match
Kills: Heather Totzke (RV) 16, Jodi Granholm (RV) 15
Assists: Abby Meyer (RV) 17, Jade Lawrence (RV) 12
Blocks: Brooke Lantis (RV) 9, Megan Carlson (RV) 5
Aces: Heather Totzke (RV) 4, Jade Lawrence (RV) 2
Buchanan Stats
Courtney Miller 16 kills 23 digs
Jayme O'Bryant 4 kills 13 digs
Mattie Arndt 4 kills 3 aces 5 digs 2 blocks
Emily Ross 8 kills 2 aces 4 digs 34 assists 2 blocks
Anna Callahan 1 kill 3 blocks
Lindsey Borr 32 digs
Holly Lucas 2 aces 8 digs
Katie Backus 6 kills 1 block