ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Mid-Buchanan has dominated to start the season, sweeping its jamboree and season opener against St. Joseph Christian. That dominance continued in the KCI Tournament, where the Dragons won five straight matches without dropping a single set.
“It was a lot fun, it’s even better when you get through and don’t drop a set,” Dragons coach Ron Underwood said. “There’s plenty of good teams at the top of the KCI and to come out on top is pretty good.”
Mid-Buchanan won the tournament for the first time since 2018. The Dragons have had plenty of strong teams through the years, but putting together such a dominant showing to start the season has been one of their goals internally.
“It was great, that was one of our goals on our poster this year so we get to check that one off,” junior Tatum Moss said of the tournament win.
The result also continued a flawless opening stretch for Mid-Buchanan. Through the jamboree, its season opener and the KCI Tournament, the Dragons have consistently controlled matches and have yet to lose a set. That early consistency has given Underwood a chance to see how a deep roster responds when expectations are already high.
Mid-Buchanan is full of experience from top to bottom, but freshman Aspen Wilson has also inserted herself as a key player for the Dragons. With senior Myla Flinn calling the freshman an “amazing libero,” Wilson has stepped up and impressed everyone, from players to coaches, as she gives Mid-Buchanan even more talent.
“Going against girls that are more experienced can be like, nerve-wracking,” Wilson said. “I just try to go out there and play as hard as I can for my teammates and show people what I can do and how I can play.”
With so much talent, the Dragons have to balance long-term goals with taking games day by day. Competition in northwest Missouri is high, and a team like Mid-Buchanan can’t afford to overlook anyone, especially as it will see other teams’ best efforts. Even with so much motivation, the Dragons carry an additional chip on their shoulder after last season.
“I’m just feeling really excited,” Flinn said. “This is just really exciting for us, especially after last year ended.”
The team has high expectations. With those expectations and so much talent, egos can often get in the way. Mid-Buchanan has not shown a single ounce of that, with everyone focused on getting a win by any means necessary.
“They absolutely don’t care who gets to kill, they just don’t,” Underwood said. “You saw them cheering on our back row every time they made a great dig. And telling Myia (Dillman) good job when they got a great set. It doesn’t get any better than that as a coach. That’s a good setup.”
That unselfishness may be one of Mid-Buchanan’s biggest advantages as the season continues. With so many players capable of taking over a match, the Dragons do not have to rely on one person every night. If that balance continues, the depth that has carried them through the opening stretch could become even more valuable as matches get tougher.
Mid-Buchanan checked off goal No. 1 to start the season. It’s a long year full of goals, and difficult ones at that. The next test comes Tuesday when the Dragons host Excelsior Springs.
Leave a Comment