The history behind sophomore outside hitter Sydney Buchanan becoming a member of the Mother McAuley family is an interesting one.
She was in seventh grade when her parents drove her from their home in Frankfort to a volleyball camp at McAuley.
The first thing Mighty Macs coach Jen DeJarld did was welcome her. The second thing was to find out who she was and where she lived.
“That’s exactly how it started,” DeJarld said. “Being from the Frankfort area, we didn’t recognize her from an area school.
“She was real shy and just smiled a lot. Even then, we could recognize she had power. That’s something you can’t teach. She came around again in eighth grade and decided to come to us, and we’re grateful to have her.”
Buchanan used her power Thursday night to have some big moments for the Mighty Macs in a 19-25, 25-18, 25-23 loss to Assumption of Kentucky.
Michigan recruit Ellie White was the standout for McAuley (18-2) with 18 kills and 16 digs. Ellery Rees had nine kills and three blocks. Olivia Klapp added 15 assists and Northwestern commit Gigi Navarrete made 30 digs.
Charlotte Moriarty led Assumption (22-4) with 18 kills. Emma Barnett added 12 kills, while Kristen Simon contributed 30 digs.
DeJarld made her first impression on Buchanan without actually knowing it.
In fourth grade, Buchanan was taking lessons with Therese Boyle Niego. DeJarld was the instructor at a few of the sessions.
The experience led to Buchanan attending camp at McAuley a few years later.
“When I got to the McAuley camp, I really liked the vibe there,” Buchanan said. “I did a couple of tours and I really enjoyed them. Then I wanted to become a part of the McAuley family.
“I was just very lucky my parents were really all in for my volleyball career. They took me to tons of camps so I could get better. They make sacrifices getting me here and I’m very thankful for it.”
It was Buchanan who made the biggest impression on McAuley.
“Sydney definitely clicked with us right away,” Navarrete said. “She has a really fun personality. Just getting to know her in seventh grade and building that relationship very young with her, she got really used to us and how we roll with our tradition here.”
Buchanan, who was on the JV during her freshman season, has emerged as a crucial power hitter for the Mighty Macs.
Going into Thursday’s match, White was the runaway leader in kills with 254, but Buchanan was second with 70.
“Sydney has come so far from eighth grade to freshman year to sophomore year,” DeJarld said. “She made our JV last season. We could see the potential and hoped she would be our outside this year.
“She did a lot of developing as well during club season with 1st Alliance.”
Buchanan had six kills for the Mighty Macs against Assumption but could have had more if Simon, the Rockets’ ace defender, didn’t make a handful of sprawling digs.
The most important kill for Buchanan came with McAuley trailing 21-20 in the third game.
“Sydney is a really smart hitter,” White said. “She has her shot — she has her deep corner. She really knows where to place the ball, and she has power, too.”
Their connection is one of the strongest on the team.
“Oh, Ellie has always been a very big influence on me,” Buchanan said. “I like how she is very consistent with her hits. I want to get more consistent like that.
“Ellie helps me be a more energetic and intense outside hitter. At practices in the gym, she makes me work a lot harder. I like it.”
