DOWAGIAC — Visiting Brandywine appeared to be making short work of Dowagiac in a non-conference volleyball match Tuesday night, but something happened in the third set.

After winning in relatively easy fashion in the first two sets — 25-12, 25-15 — the Bobcats seemed to lose their momentum in the final set.

Dowagiac came alive a little too late to upset Brandywine and lost 3-0 to Brandywine after falling 26-24 in the third set.

“Better late than never,” Dowagiac coach Rachel Zeider said. “We were having a little bit of trouble with the timing of our blocking and I think we got the hang of it, but it was a little too late. The girls still did great the way they came back. It was a good change.”

Brandywine coach Janet Markunas was not too happy with the way her team finished against the Chieftains.

“We are starting off strong, but it is kind of like a roller coaster,” she said. “It is not necessarily about finishing.  It depends on where we land, but we have done this now two games in a row. We have to work on serving and on mental errors and communication. It was pretty quiet in this gym the entire night on both sides.”

The Bobcats were led once again by their front line as Grace Polomcak had 17 kills, Olivia Thomas 11 kills and Bethany Duval seven.

Duval also had five blocks, while Polomcak had 12 digs.

Audrey Longley finished with 34 assists, 13 digs, two kills, two blocks and two aces.

Dowagiac’s undoing in the final set may have been in part caused by playing it too safe.

The Chieftains dumped the ball over the net numerous times instead of setting up its offense and hitting the ball at the Bobcats.

“I think it was more of a safe bet,” Zeider said. “Safe is better than nothing, but swinging and being more aggressive is something we are still working on.”

On the night, Kelsey Crocker led the Chieftains with six kills, 43 digs and a block. Taylore Froehlich added two kills and 20 digs, while Kenzie Cross had two kills, two aces and 21 digs.

Natalie Davis finished with 38 digs and two kills.