Van Buren's Busey makes impact on, off court

VAN BUREN – The key for Sasha Busey has been consistency. Night after night, the Van Buren hitter has been putting up big numbers, and her team has been winning. And as that has been happening, records have been challenged. Last month, Busey set the school record for career blocks. Then, Wednesday, in a win over Arlington, the senior slammed 29 kills – which tied the school mark. "She's very consistent in her hitting," said Van Buren coach Mark Bunn. "We work on that every single day. Blocking, how to read it. My wife (Bridgett, a Black Knights assistant coach), she really works with her on positioning, and reading those hitters and what they need to do. "(Busey) does a good job listening during scouting reports, where their tendencies are, but yeah. Day in, day out, just crushing the ball, and opponent's coaches are just like, 'She's doing some amazing things.'" Busey said she's been keeping things simple. "You just have to not overthink it and go in ready to dominate," she said. "You have to have a positive attitude, even if you have a bad warmup, you have to tell yourself you're going to have a good game." Busey usually has a good game, but Bunn said she's become just as important to the program off the court. "She's taken, as a senior, the leadership, and she's taken it to a new level," Bunn said. "Her work ethic is unbelievable. She is just putting in the time and the effort keeps getting better at every practice, pushing and critiquing herself. That just makes her so much better on the court." Busey said becoming a leader was a bit of an adjustment. "It's really new for me, because last year there were other people who were taking that role," Busey said. "But I also like taking that role, because I feel like I'm a very positive person on the court. We're always lifting everyone up. It's not just me that's being a leader. Everyone works together." That also was a point of emphasis when talking about the Black Knights: It's a team success story. "I think they're a family. They're together," Bunn said. "We went zip-lining over the summer. They've just grown to be really close and appreciate each other, and to push each other to make sure they're the best." Bunn said the whole team has stepped up, whether it's been Brylee Ponn or Jillian Walters subbing in the middle, or outside hitters Kennedy Jones and Selma Brant. He praised the Black Knights' back row of Ava Cramer and Faith Smith, and the consistency of setter Brooke Ingwerson. He also mentioned how Bailey Lance, a defensive specialist, has helped out. "We can adjust, and we make due, and it works," Bunn said. Bunn and Busey are hoping it continues.Van Buren is 15-3. If the team wins its remaining three matches, it will set a school mark for wins in a season. "And then, go far in tournaments," Busey said, "and just keep growing as a team."