(New Buffalo, MI) - The New Buffalo High School volleyball team cruised to a three-set victory at home Monday.
The Lady Bison seemed to overwhelm Countryside Academy at times, especially from the many power shots not returned successfully.
Especially potent were spikes and hard-line drive serves for points by senior Ashley Hauseman. Junior Shannon Dewit also racked up many scores from punishing serves that made her opponents, at times, look helpless. Sophomore Ava Johnson also struck the ball with authority leading all servers with seven aces. Johnson also had 15 assists.
Amanda Jones led all defenders with 12 digs in a game where both teams wore pink uniforms to recognize National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The score was 25-16, 25-10, and 25-11.
Head Coach Bruce Molineaux said he was pleased with how the team played, especially in the final two matches, because of not having practice since Wednesday.
“We improved as the night went on,” he said.
Striking the ball at higher speeds had been a significant focus in recent practices to get the team ready for a possible run in the upcoming conference and district tournaments.
The Lady Bison improved to 6-1 in their Berrien Cass St. Joseph Conference division with an overall record of 11-12-2. Just a handful of players from last year’s district championship team still undefeated until a first-round loss in the regionals are on this year’s squad.
Molineaux believes this year’s team has a chance at success in the postseason if his players can strike the ball harder for more points and limit mistakes.
Michigan Lutheran and River Valley are expected to be the other top contenders for postseason honors. The conference tournament at Eau Claire begins on Saturday.