It’s been at least a couple years since Fillmore County has seen a hitter like Kingsland’s Lauren Buchholtz, an athlete who could routinely put up 20 kills. The 5’8” junior went a little above and beyond routine versus R-P. The Knight offense, led by Buchholtz, but also including senior Kori Kruegel, was too much for a game Trojans defensive effort. Kingsland took game one 25-19. Buchholtz had six kills. The Knights led game two early 12-6, but a 7-1 Trojan run resulted in a 13-13 tie. Seven ties later, the match was 23-23. Back-to-back Lauren Lawston kills and a Knight error gave R-P the game 25-23, evening the match at 1-1. Buchholtz had eight kills. In game three, the Knights erased a 6-5 deficit with a 6-0 run. Buchholtz and Kruegel each had seven kills as team double-K triumphed 25-18. Game four had ten ties. R-P led 23-20 late. They tried valiantly to defend attacks from an in-the-front-row Buchholtz. It was in vain. Four straight L.B. kills propelled Kingsland to the 3-1 win (25-19, 23-25, 25-18, 25-23). Sisters like each other, so Ellie (46 assists) set Lauren often (season/career-high 31 kills, 3 blocks). Kruegel added 17 kills. Olivia Hoff (24 digs), Lawston (20 digs, 5 kills), and Kensay Clobes (16 digs, 6 kills) keyed R-P’s ‘D’. Nicole Blagsvedt (7 kills), Kjersta Hinz (6 kills, 3 blocks), and Kaitlyn Bieberdorf (5 kills) added some ‘O.’ Peyton Hoiness had 26 assists and 3 aces. In TRC play, Kingsland is 3-0 in 3-1 matches, 0-3 in 3-2 matches. It’s their first win over R-P since 2009, snapping a string of eight straight losses.
Buchholtz Hits For 31
