DACULA — In the midst of a decisive third set against Hebron, Buford volleyball’s Aaliyah Brown fell to the court and wailed.
Buford’s coaches rushed toward the sight of the injury with Brown eventually walking toward the team bench with assistance. The injury suffered by one of Buford’s strong on-court contributors played a role in the Wolves’ 15-10 defeat in a three-set match against homestanding Hebron.
“Aaliyah is going to be OK,” Buford head coach Christina Lecoeuvre said after her team split a doubleheader Tuesday by beating Jackson County.
The team sits at 3-1 before playing a game on its home court. The Wolves, however, have aspirations of returning to the state championship stage for the first time since 2022 and an early-season loss left a bitter taste. The win over Jackson County, in the second game of the twin bill, went Buford’s way in straight sets.
Against Hebron, Buford lost the opening set in which the opposing head coach Taylor Davis labeled as “important” for his team, while eking out the second frame to force the decisive set. Buford trailed 12-9 in the third set before Brown suffered the ailment, and Hebron won three of the final four points.
“It is what it is,” Lecoeuvre said. “It’s part of it. Hebron always has a competitive program. We knew their middle hitter was going to be a problem. We had unforced errors on our end. That injury in the third set on our end didn’t help the situation.”
Buford fell to Hebron after winning in three sets a year ago on its home floor. Before the contest, Lecoeuvre indicated that the Wolves would face a test against Hebron.
“Buford and Hebron have been playing each other as long as I’ve been here for 14 years,” Davis said. “The ebb-and-flow has gone both ways. Buford has gotten the best of us, so I felt very proud of our girls to come out and get the win today.”
Buford had multiple younger players on the floor throughout Tuesday’s play, including some who were promoted from the junior varsity team. Lecoeuvre indicated that the Wolves have options in Brown’s absence, but would not elaborate.
“No comment,” she said. “We have options.”
Lecoeuvre’s team continues road play with four games on Aug. 17. Buford faces North Cobb, Richmond Hill, West Forsyth and Alpharetta.
The Wolves don’t have a need to panic, but will instead focus on fine-tuning elements of its game, Lecoeuvre said. She hopes to see her team enhance its defense by being “in the right spot” after film study.
“It was a fun environment to play in,” Lecoeuvre said. “It was loud and a good learning experience for us to play in this type of environment. We know what we need to work on and we’re going to work on it.”
Buford did not provide specifics on Brown’s injury. She left the gym in crutches while unable to put weight on her right leg.
After the first game against Hebron, numerous Buford players consoled the junior while providing words of encouragement. Hebron players arrived at the Buford bench to hug Brown after the victory.
“My heart goes out to No. 10 with the injury for Buford,” Davis said. “You never want to end a set and match that way. I pray for a quick recovery.”
