When Ball State took on the University of Albany on Friday,setter Stacie Baldwin saw a familiar face on the other side of thenet -- her cousin.
Blair Buchanan, a sophomore at Albany, and Baldwin, a seniorsetter, have grown up playing volleyball together and competingagainst each other.
Buchanan, two years younger than Baldwin, started playingvolleyball in sixth grade, she said, and often received help fromBaldwin.
"We used to pass outside at Christmas," Buchanan said. "I'vealways looked up to her."
According to Baldwin, Buchanan came a long way from when theyused to play together.
"I remember she was horrible," she said, "and I would helpher."
Buchanan switched to setter her sophomore year at Delta HighSchool, and has developed the best hands for her position throughher dedication, Baldwin said.
"I would die to have those hands," she said.
Buchanan also succeeds at getting tip shots, Baldwin said.
The two have competed against each other before, when Baldwinwas a senior at Yorktown High School and Buchanan was a sophomoreat Delta.
However, playing against each other at the college level wasdifferent.
"We're so much more developed in our roles," Baldwin said. "It'smore of an elite environment."
Baldwin notched 24 assists in the game against Albany, andBuchanan had 28. Ball State won the match 3-0.
"They played really well, and we didn't," Buchanan said.
The match gave Buchanan motivation to play better, though, shesaid.
"It always makes me want to beat her," Buchanan said.
Baldwin said her grandparents logged quite a few miles travelingto both her and Buchanan's games, so the family liked that theycould see both of them play in Muncie.
The match also gave the family a chance to spend time togetherSaturday night, Buchanan said.
The game was the first time the cousins have played against eachother at the collegiate level.
"I'd love to play against her again," Baldwin said.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
