(New Buffalo, MI) - After a slow start, the New Buffalo High School girls’ volleyball team caught fire against state ranked Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School but fell just short in the District 4 tournament semi-finals Wednesday at River Valley High School.

 

“We just couldn’t get over the hump,” said Head Coach Bruce Molineaux.

 

The Lady Bison lost the first set 25-17 but stormed back after trailing 9-4 in the second set. 

 

Points from an overpowering spike at the net by Nicky Durham and unreturned serve from Josie Humphrey evened the score at 17.

 

A kill at the net by Cassidy Saunders from a set by Meagan Fatter evened the score again at 19.

 

The Lady Bison took the lead on a kill from Humphrey and were on the verge of winning the set but the Lakers scored the final three points to claim victory 27-25.

 

In the deciding third set, New Buffalo led 3-1 after scoring a point from a block at the net by Benita Puskinigus.  The Lady Bison soon trailed but kept the score close with the Lakers ahead by no more than three points throughout the game.  Another point on a ball drilled by Durham evened the score at 17.

 

The Lady Bison then fell behind by two points but evened the score again and took a 23-22 lead on three consecutive unreturned serves from Riley Tertel.

 

The Lakers took the match, though, by scoring the final three points to win the set.

 

Molineaux said his players became much more competitive after overcoming some early jitters, perhaps.

 

“It’s been like that all year long, really. We’re not a start out quick team but once we get in the groove we play well,” he said.  

 

Molineaux felt his players, who are mostly seniors, also stormed back from being determined in wanting to extend their final high school season.

 

“They don’t want to lose.  I don’t want to lose, but it still hurts,” he said.

 

New Buffalo finished the year with a record of 24-13-3.