7th and 8th Grade Lady Bison claim third in tournament

Kendall Lee focuses on her return, as 7th grade teammate Lauren Helmcamp waits and watches. Van’Go’photo Volleyball season came to an end on Saturday for the junior high Lady Bison. Buffalo won the third place plaque in both the seventh and the eighth grade divisions at the district tournament in Onalaska. The West Zone, comprised of Anderson-Shiro, Buffalo, Centerville and New Waverly, dominated the tournament from start to finish.

Both Buffalo teams were the top seeds from the West entering the tournament. The seventh grade matched up with the fourth seed from the East, Corrigan-Camden to start the day. Without much ado, the Lady Bison advanced to the semi-finals with a 25-9, 25-19 victory over the Lady Bulldogs. Taryn Morman and Emma Shaw led the Lady Bison with twelve and ten service points. Marissa Jones served for five points, and Kendall Lee served for three points. Lauren Helmcamp and Kayla Hutchins added two points each.

Meredith Shaw and Desiree Worthy return volley during their Battle Royale against Trinity. Van’Go’photo The eighth grade took on the host, Onalaska, in the first round of the tournament. Tough serving by the Lady Bison resulted in a 25-7, 25-3 win for Buffalo. Katie Glick served for fourteen points, including a twelve point stretch in the second set. Hailey Laningham served for nine consecutive points and a total of ten. Shelby Ballard also hit a ten point run. Kortni Hibbard served for four points while Hannah Laningham and Taylor Rutledge each served for one each.

The two Lady Bison squads hit a stumbling block at the second round. The seventh grade team tripped over New Waverly while the eighth grade succumbed to Centerville. The seventh graders lost the first set 16-25, and trailed 21-14 in the second. Buffalo dug in to win the second set 25-22 and forced a tie breaker. New Waverly won the third set 25-21. Jones led the stampede with ten points while Morman came up with eight. Shaw, Helmcamp, and Lee served for five points each. Hutchins added one.

The eighth grade Lady Bison met a much improved Centerville team in the semifinals. The Lady Tigers won the first set 25-15, but Buffalo responded with a 25-11 win. Centerville capitalized on serving blunders by the Lady Bison to win the third set 25-14. Hannah Laningham served for eleven points while Hailey Laningham totaled eight. Hibbard served for four points while Ballard and Rutledge tacked on one each.

Buffalo's eighth graders met New Waverly for the third place match. Though the Lady Bulldogs were much improved as well, the Lady Bison won in straight sets, 25-15, 25-20. Hannah Laningham came up with twelve service points, including four aces to lead the Lady Bison. Ballard finished with six points, and Hailey Laningham and Katie Glick tallied five each. Hibbard added one. Chelsea Brewer and Bethany Gaskins provided strong defense for Buffalo.

Centerville and Buffalo met in the third place match in the seventh grade division. Buffalo won the first six encounters with the Lady Tigers this year--four in district and two in tournaments--but Centerville was determined to have a different outcome. The Lady Tigers won the first set 25-21. Game two reversed and Lady Bison claimed a 25- 21 win. The third set was a battle with both teams fighting for the prize. The Lady Bison pulled out a 25-18 victory. Shaw served for thirteen points in the match. Morman served for ten points, and Jones totaled seven. Lee tallied five points while Helmcamp and Hutchens served for one each. Karina Sotelo and Macey Jonas provided strong passing for the Lady Bison. Shaw and Jones set up Cassidy Graves, Morman, Helmcamp and Lee for attacks throughout the match.

“It was a good way to cap off a great season,” head coach Lori Shaw said. “Both teams have really improved and worked hard all season to play volleyball at the next level. I look forward to these girls being a part of the Lady Bison volleyball program.”