Blue Earth Area’s Taylor Klabunde receives a serve and passes it to the setter in a recent game at Blue Earth. The Bucs downed Mankato Loyola 3-1 on Oct. 14.

It took four games, but the Blue Earth Area Buccaneers triumphed over the visiting Mankato Loyola Crusaders 3-1 in volleyball action Thursday night, Oct. 14.

BEA dominated in the opening game and came away with a 25-9 win.

The second game was closer but the Bucs still came out on top 25-18.

Mankato Loyola rallied to take the third game 25-19 over the Bucs and avoid the sweep.

The Maroon and Gold finished off the match in the fourth game by downing the Crusaders 25-17.

Liz Beeler had a great all-around game. The senior led the team in set assists with 26 and in digs with 14. She also led the team in serving with 16 points on 21-for-23 serving.

Hailey Becker led the team in kills with 11 and ace blocks with two. She was 13-for-15 serving with four aces and eight points.

Alicia Machacek also reached double figures in kills with 10. Brita Hougen and Maci Frommie each had eight.

Eloise Blair and Kate Armon each tallied nine digs while Taylor Klabunde finished with seven.

Klabunde also had nine service points with one ace on 11-for-15 serving.

Haley Kalis contributed seven set assists.

BEA will host the Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial Knights in a non-conference clash on Tuesday, Oct. 19.

Post-season play will begin on Thursday, Oct. 28.

St. James 3, BEA 0

Eloise Blair returned to the Blue Earth Area lineup on Tuesday, Oct. 12, when the St. James Saints came to town to take on the Bucs in volleyball.

However, despite Blair’s return to action, the Saints were still able to defeat the Bucs in three games, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20.

“Eloise was able to play in the back row,” BEA head coach Donna Nawrocki said. “I wish it was more but we will take what we can get.”

Blair had injured her right shoulder at a tournament on Sept. 25 and there had been some concern whether she would be able to return to the volleyball court this season.

Blair led the team in digs with 10. Haley Kalis had eight and Liz Beeler tallied six.

Beeler led the team in set assists with 14 followed by Kalis with four.

Brita Hougen and Hailey Becker each had six kills to lead the team at the net. Taylor Klabunde, Alicia Machacek and Maci Frommie each had three.

Klabunde was the leading server for the Bucs. She was 15-for-16 at the service line with two aces and nine points.

Becker was given credit for seven points and three aces on 10-for-14 serving. Beeler had six points and two aces while going a perfect 12-for-12 at the service line.