By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
KALAMAZOO – For the second straight year, Kalamazoo Christian captured the Kalamazoo Hackett Invitational.
The Lady Comets defeated Edwardsburg in the championship match 25-14 and 25-20.
The Lady Eddies (10-3) reached the finals with a 25-17, 19-25 and 15-10 victory over Hackett in the semifinals. Kalamazoo Christian won its semifinal match over Galesburg-Augusta 25-16 and 25-6.
In the quarterfinals, the Lady Eddies knocked off Decatur (25-11, 25-15), Hackett defeated Gobles (25-18, 25-15), Kalamazoo Christian defeated Southfield Christian (25-15, 25-11) and Galesburg-Augusta defeated Brandywine 25-20 and 25-18.
In pool play, the Lady Eddies defeated Southfield Christian (25-12, 25-12), Gobles (25-16, 25-5), Galesburg-Augusta (25-14, 25-15) and Decatur (25-11, 25-15).
Stephanie Koontz led the Lady Eddies with 47 kills, 18 blocks and 47 digs. Edwardsburg also got 28 kills, six blocks and 28 digs from Evie Tafunai, while Callie Brey had nine aces, seven kills and 28 digs.
Elise Mackling finished the tournament with 14 kills, 10 assists and 12 blocks.
C.C. Robert had 99 setting assists, four aces and 15 digs, while Jeni Bollenbacher had seven aces and 40 digs.
Brandywine defeated Decatur in pool play 25-17 and 25-17, but lost to Kalamazoo Christian and Kalamazoo Hackett.
The Lady Bobcats were defeated in three games by Hackett.
In the quarterfinals, Brandywine was eliminated by Galesburg-Augusta 19-25 and 15-25.
According to first-year coach Sara Eaton, Kendra Zache, Jenna Harris and Katie Smallwood were the top hitters.
Alexa Perry was the top defensive player, while Missy Cooper led the team in setting.
Bucks fall in finals at Cass
CASSOPOLIS – The Lady Vikings of Bronson went undefeated on the day to capture the Cassopolis Varsity Volleyball Invitational on Saturday.
Bronson went 8-0 in pool play and then defeated River Valley in the semifinals, 25-19 and 25-15.
Berrien Springs also went 8-0 in pool play, but was knocked off in the semifinals by Lakeland Conference rival Buchanan, 23-25, 25-13 and 15-9.
In the finals, Bronson defeated the Lady Bucks 25-16 and 25-15 to take the championship.
"I'm extremely proud of the girls," Buchanan coach Lisa Holok said. "They have really pulled together and shown a lot of heart and drove the last two days in our tournaments. I think we had an amazing start finishing in the quarterfinals at a tournament like Otsego and today reaching the finals at Cass."
Buchanan, which took part in the Otsego Invitational on Friday, finished second in the White Pool behind Bronson with a 5-3 record. Host Cassopolis went 4-4 in pool play.
In pool play, the Lady Bucks defeated Eau Claire (25-17, 25-13), defeated Howardsville (25-11, 25-9), split with Cassopolis (25-10, 24-25) and lost to Bronson (25-13, 25-16).
Courtney Miller led the Lady Bucks with 58 kills and 79 digs. Buchanan also got 119 assists, nine aces, 15 kills, 51 digs and nine blocks from Emily Ross.
Anna Callahan finished with 14 aces, 40 kills and 20 blocks, while Jayme O'Bryant had 74 digs and 23 kills. Rachel Downs and Alexis Lenox contributed 73 and 26 digs respectively. Rachel Briggs chipped in 10 kills and six blocks.
Otsego Invitational
Kalamazoo Central eliminated the Lady Bucks in the quarterfinals on Friday at the Otsego Invitational.
Buchanan lost to the Maroon Giants 25-21, 25-22.
In pool play, host Otsego defeated Buchanan (25-14, 25-19), Buchanan defeated Thornapple Valley (25-11, 25-16) and split with Mattawan (12-25, 25-12).
Callahan had 25 kills and 10 blocks for the Lady Bucks, who also got 40 kills and 70 digs, 40 kills and seven aces from Miller. Ross finished with 75 assists, 14 kills and 51 digs, while O'Bryant finished the tournament with seven aces and 70 digs.
Lenox added seven kills and 15 digs. Briggs finished with 15 kills and three blocks, while Downs contributed 60 digs.
Varsity Volleyball Invitational
Pool Play Standings
Blue Pool
Berrien Springs (8-0)
River Valley (6-2)
Michigan Lutheran (4-4)
New Buffalo (2-6)
Bangor (0-8)
White Pool
Bronson (8-0)
Buchanan (5-3)
Cassopolis (4-4)
Eau Claire (3-5)
Howardsville (0-8)
Semifinals
Bronson 25-19, 25-15 over River Valley
Buchanan 23-25, 25-17, 15-10 over Berrien Springs
Finals
Bronson 25-15, 25-14 over Buchanan