BRANDON – It wasn’t the performance Brandon coach Amy Watson wanted to see in her team’s season opener, but she was satisfied with the result.

The Brandon volleyball team, ranked No. 5 in the Tribune’s preseason poll, was able to defeat Durant, the defending Class 6A region champ and 2007 state runner-up, in scores of 25-15, 22-25, 25-20, 23-25, 15-6 on Tuesday night.

Alexandra Woodlee had 13 kills and 18 digs while Lindsey Watson had nine kills and 15 digs to lead the Eagles (1-0).

“We need work,” Watson said. “We’re not where we need to be. It was a great home opener for us.”

After watching Brandon jump out onto a 15-4 lead in the first game, Durant responded in the second game to tie the match. Facing defeat in the fourth game, senior outside hitter Chelsea Morris made some key plays for the Cougars to force a fifth game.

Audra Geniesie added nine kills while Micki Rivers had 27 digs.

Watson said the team will travel to Orlando Thursday to play in the KSA Classic at Disney’s Wide World of Sports for the second consecutive year.