Bucs continue volleyball season with comeback win over Bulldogs

Danny Federico

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The Branford High School Buccaneers volleyball team has opened the 2026 season with three straight victories, including a five-set comeback over the Suwannee High School Bulldogs on Tuesday, Aug. 18, in Live Oak.

The Bucs began the season one day earlier, on Monday, Aug. 17, with a 3-0 road victory over the Keystone Heights Indians, taking the match in straight sets, 25-19, 25-18 and 25-17.

However, the Branford girls faced a much tougher test the following night against Suwannee.

The Bulldogs controlled the opening set, winning 25-14, before edging out the Bucs 25-23 in the second to take a 2-0 lead in the match.

With their backs against the wall, the Bucs responded.

Branford took control in the third set with a 25-14 victory, then carried that momentum into the fourth, winning 25-13 to force a decisive fifth set.

The Bucs completed the comeback with a 15-10 victory in the final set, taking the match 3-2 and improving to 2-0 on the season.

The win marked a six-set turnaround for Branford. After dropping the first two sets against Suwannee, the Bucs won the final three that night and carried the streak into their next match.

The Buccaneers then traveled to Williston High School on Thursday, Aug. 20, where they earned their second straight-set victory of the season. They defeated the Mighty Red Devils 25-16 in the opening set, followed by wins of 25-22 and 25-20 to complete the 3-0 sweep.

Through their first three matches, the Bucs have won eight of the 10 sets they have played and remain unbeaten at 3-0.

The Buccaneer girls will look to continue their undefeated start as the season moves forward. Their next match is set for Thursday, Aug. 27, when they hit the road to take on the Lafayette High School Hornets in Mayo at 6 p.m.

Be sure to visit riverbendnews.org for up-to-date records of the Bucs’ matchups.