Jenny Smith

The Buccaneer volleyball team opened their 2009 season with a home victory over Lake Crystal-Wellcome-Memorial last Monday night.

After losing the first game 25-15, the Blue Earth Area girls came back for three straight wins; 25-21, 25-18, 25-23.

The Bucs had to stage comebacks in each of the three games they won, falling behind early and finally pulling out each game at the end.

In game two they managed to come from behind and tie the game at 11 each.

It was also tied at 17, 18 and 19 all. Finally BEA went ahead 21-19 and stayed in the lead for the final points.

Game three saw the Buccaneers behind almost the entire game. At one point they were down 14-7 before a big kill by Kate Hassing started the comeback.

The Bucs tied up the game at 17-17, then went up 21-19, just as they had in game two. This time they held the LCWM Knights scoreless the rest of the way, while scoring four more of their own for the win.

Game four looked to be a carbon copy of the two previous games. BEA was behind most of the game until they finally tied it up, this time at 16-16.

It was tied five more times until the Bucs went up 22-21 and stayed ahead for good.

The Buccaneers were led by Jenny Smith who had an outstanding match. She led in kills with nine, digs with 10, and was a perfect 17 of 17 from the serving line, including five aces and seven points.

Hassing was 16 of 16 serving with two aces and three points. She also had six kills.

Morgan Dickman was 15 of 15 serving with one ace point, and also had 16 set assists.

Sydney Ristau had eight kills and two ace blocks, while Ashley Olson added an ace block and had 12 set assists.

Maddie McDonald added seven digs, and Mariah Cooke six.

The Knights were led by Karina Schweder who had 11 kills, two ace serves and two ace blocks.

LSH 3, BEA 0

After winning their opening match in the 2009 volleyball season, the Blue Earth Area Buccaneers lost their second one to Le Sueur-Henderson on Thursday night, 3-0.

Scores of the three games were 25-15, 25-20, 25-9. The Giants showed why they are ranked No. 9 in state in the pre-season polls. “I mixed up the line-up a little bit in the second game,” Coach Donna Nawrocki says. “It got some bigger girls on the front line, and shook them (LSH) up a bit.” That second game was tied at 19-19, but the Giants closed it out with the Bucs only getting one more point. “We played aggressively,” Nawrocki says. “We had some nice rallies and some good net play.” The Bucs were led by Kate Hassing with four kills. Jenny Smith added eight digs. “I’m happy we kept up our intensity,” Nawrocki adds. “They are just a very good team with an excellent setter. There is a reason they are favored in our section. Maybe we can meet up with them again in the playoffs.” This week the Bucs are scheduled to host St. Peter on Tuesday. On Saturday, they will travel to Luverne to play in the Luverne Tournament.