It was a grueling day for the Brandon volleyball team, but it had a happy ending.
After losing their first two matches of the Okemos Tournament Saturday, Dec. 13, the Blackhawks came back to defeat Mason 15-12, 15-13 and win the championship of the tournament’s silver division, capping off an 11-hour day in which the Blackhawks went 5-3
It was the second time the Blackhawks had defeated Mason in the day. In preliminary action, Brandon defeated Mason 15-10, 15-4.
Coach Kim Rackel said despite battling fatigue toward the end, the Blackhawks showed a great deal of fight.
‘I thought we played exceptional all day,? she said. ‘One of the things I was impressed with was their desire to win.?
Brandon started off the day on a slow note, losing to Ypsilanti 8-15, 9-15 and Grand Ledge 4-15, 1-15. However, they came back to defeat Mason and then Lansing Everett, the latter match by a score of 11-15, 15-5, 17-15. They concluded preliminary competition with a three-game loss to Ann Arbor Huron, 13-15, 15-6, 11-15.
The Blackhawks then picked up their game in the silver division, defeating Everett 15-9, 15-11 and then Bloomfield Hills Andover in the division semifinals, 15-12, 15-9. They capped off their day with the division final win against Mason.
Rackel said Mallory Martin played ‘very well? in the tournament and saw a lot of playing time in the front row and back row, and also said Jessica Wise did a good job of hustling and handling her setting responsibilities.
One of the newest Blackhawks, Katie Flood, played in her first varsity tournament at Okemos. Rackel said she picked up quite a bit of knowledge during the day.
‘She did a great job of learning as the day went on,? Rackel said.
The Blackhawks now have less than two weeks to go before their next tournament Saturday, Jan. 3 at Marysville. Rackel said the team will get plenty of practice time in before then.
‘We’re hoping to stay sharp and fine-tune some of our skills,? she said. ‘That will be a challenge for us.?
Brandon plays their first home match of the season Monday, Jan. 5 when they host Oxford at 7 p.m.