By By MARK ANDERSON / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN - In their first Lakeland Conference volleyball game Wednesday evening, the Bucks from Buchanan defeated River Valley in a back and forth battle.
The Bucks won 3-2 (8-25, 25-23, 26-24, 22-25, 15-11) in their home and conference opener.
Buchanan was trounced by the Mustangs 25-8 in the first game, but fought fight extra hard to win the second.
Each team had the lead at different points in time during that round, and the biggest gap was five points (19-14, in favor of Buchanan). Yet Buchanan won the second game by just two points, 25-23.
The third game was much the same, with Buchanan winning 26-24. The Mustangs fought back and took Game 4 25-22, but Buchanan won 15-11 in the fifth and final game.
Buchanan coach Lisa Holok credited Heather Lentz for playing well, saying, "She does a nice job all the way around, including on defensive moves. She's a smart player. She knows when to go after the ball amd when to tip."
Holok noted that Jaclyn Mummaw should be recognized for "keeping the team focused and making them work hard."
Holok added, "Stacy Boor does a nice job. She's pretty aggressive at the net."
Buchanan's new coach also observed, "We struggled in the game because our passing wasn't always there. This team knows that passing is important."
Stacy Borr led Buchanan with six kills, two aces, two blocks and three digs.
Heather Lentz contributed two aces, five kills and 16 digs, while Jaclyn Mummaw finishd with 23 assists, one ace, three kills and four digs.
Jill Woodrick had five kills and 11 digs for the Lady Bucks, who also got one ace, three kills, one block and six digs from Hayley Burks.
Leslie Niemier finished with nine digs.
Buchanan plays Saturday in a tournament at Lakeshore High School, with the multi-team event starting at 8:30 a.m.