Grand Haven volleyball defeats Hudsonville 3-0, claims regional title, advances to state quaterfinals

The+team+celebrates+after+the+winning+point+during+Thursday+nights+regional+finals+match.+This+is+the+Bucs+second+regional+volleyball+title+in+three+years.

James Harding

The team celebrates after the winning point during Thursday nights regional finals match. This is the Bucs’ second regional volleyball title in three years.

Brianna Moynihan, Sports editor

What happened: On Thursday night the volleyball team came out on top in the regional finals against the Hudsonville Eagles. The Bucs started out strong and continued that way for the entirety of the game sweeping the eagles, 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-18). This is the fourth time the Eagles have fallen to the Bucs this season.

Key Players: Juniors Emily Lachmann contributed a strong offense to help the Bucs sail over the Eagles. Lachmann led the ship with 14 kills on the night and 441 for the season.

“Emily did very well all around,” junior teammate Ally Knoll said. “Last night her attacking was especially good. She always got kills when we really need it. She is always smart with the ball and I think that definitely showed last night.”

They said it: “It felt so good to win this one,” Knoll said. “Words can’t describe it. To be able to beat them (Hudsonville) 3-0 this late in the season is pretty amazing. But we need to come into practice these next few days with our heads on right and continue to get better, We need to play each game like its our last because it very well could be.”

Record: The Bucs’ season record is 51-8 and they are ranked No. 3 in Class A division.

On Deck: The Bucs will play unranked Mason in the quarterfinals. As of right now the game is on Tuesday at Portage Northern, but this is subject to change.

The student section was decked out in camouflage for Thursday nights game.
James Harding
The Buccaneer student section was decked out in camouflage for Thursday nights game. “Camo night tomorrow for vball game!! Hunting for eagles,” senior Aaron Cummings tweeted before the game.
Senior outside hitter Amy Kober celebrates alongside teammates senior middle hitter  Mackenzie Ritzema and sophomore setter Katie Cole after a Grand Haven point.
James Harding
Senior outside hitter Amy Kober celebrates alongside teammates senior middle hitter Mackenzie Ritzema and sophomore setter Katie Cole after a Grand Haven point.
Junior middle hitter Ally Knoll spikes the ball during Thursday nights contest. Knoll had seven kills on the night and has recently made a verbal commit to play volleyball for Central Michigan University after graduation.
James Harding
Junior middle hitter Ally Knoll spikes the ball during Thursday nights contest. Knoll had seven kills on the night and has recently made a verbal commit to play volleyball for Central Michigan University after graduation.
Kober kneels for a hard pass as Newhouse and Lachmann look on. Kober currently has 262 digs on the season.
James Harding
Kober kneels for a hard pass as Newhouse and Lachmann look on. Kober currently has 262 digs on the season.
Sophomore Sophia Newhouse celebrates along with her teammates on the bench after a Grand Haven point
James Harding
Sophomore libero Sophia Newhouse celebrates along with her teammates on the bench after a Grand Haven point. Newhouse had a team-high of  24 digs during Thursday nights game.
Junior Emily Lachmann goes in for a kill. Lachmann currently has 113 service aces, 441 kills, 32 blocks and 447 digs on the season.
James Harding
Junior Emily Lachmann goes in for a spike during the Class A regional finals. Lachmann had 14 kills, two aces and six digs during Thursday nights contest.
The team celebrates with the student section after receiving the regional trophy.
James Harding
The team celebrates with the student section after receiving the regional trophy.