High school volleyball: Brinkley Kinsell, Rere Davis lift Gainesville to sweep over Buchholz

The Gainesville Hurricanes volleyball team got a bit of revenge on Monday evening from the Purple Palace.

While Gainesville's football team was blanked by cross-town rival Buchholz last Thursday night, the Hurricanes' volleyball team returned the favor, sweeping the Bobcats 27-25, 25-18 and 25-23.

"It was fun," Gainesville head coach Chancie Vice said. "Buchholz always brings it when we play each other. But the girls definitely fought hard and together. I was very proud of them."

The 'Canes win over the Bobcats was the second of the season, having previously beat them 3-1 on Sept. 7.

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Here are three takeaways from Monday's sequel.

Hurricanes spread the wealth

Coming into the match, Meme Davis led the Hurricanes' efforts on offense with 202 kills on the season. Fellow junior Charlotte Gravlee had the second-most kills with 147.

However, neither would lead the 'Canes against the Bobcats.

Instead, it was junior Brinkley Kinsell, who tallied a season-high 14 kills — five more than her previous top mark.

"You never want to be a one-trick pony as a team," Vice said. "I want to be able to spread that wealth. Be able to move that ball around consistently and effectively. So I was very proud that we were able to execute."

In addition to those who tallied kills, Vice was also happy with the efforts of her sophomore setter, Chloe Petrik. She dished a season-high 41 assists against the Hurricanes.

Rere Davis developing into something special for GHS

Starting as the Hurricanes' libero on Monday night, sophomore Rere Davis was a key piece of Gainesville's success, recording 17 digs.

"Tonight Rere played phenomenal," Vice said. "I told her our goal was to not get aced. She did not get aced a single time, and they had some pretty aggressive serves."

However, more than anything, Vice was impressed with Davis' mental strength.

"She was able to not get mentally frustrated with herself, which is a huge building block," Vice said. "Rere's performance tonight was impeccable. Not only physically on the court, but her mental game, too."

Bobcats, Hurricanes aware a trilogy could be on the horizon

Gainesville (18-6) and Buchholz (11-11) have one regular-season game left.

And then it's time for the District 4-6A tournament, where the Hurricanes and Bobcats could see each other for the third time this season.

For Buchholz, first-year head coach Joe Lamagno believes the 'Cats are just a few mental corrections away from being a totally different team.

"Our errors, we've gotta clean up," Lamagno said. "Some of the stuff is just really simple, basic stuff. Little tiny stuff that some people take for granted."

Many of the problems Lamagno saw were the result of the lack of communication.

Meanwhile, Vice hopes beating Buchholz Monday night could give Gainesville the confidence it needs to make a strong district playoff run. She also understands it won't come easy.

"It helps a lot, especially because Buchholz is in our district," Vice said. "But ... it's hard to beat a team three times. So I'm hoping we don't see them again in the first round of districts, but if we do, at least we know we can compete and actually put it to them."

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Buchholz high school volleyball falls to Gainesville in straight sets