Wildcats Fall to Bluejays in Tuesday Tilt

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – Baker volleyball fell to Tabor in straight sets in a single, non-conference matchup here Tuesday evening in Baldwin City, Kan.

Serving as their season-opener, the Bluejays secured a sweep of the Wildcats with scores of 25-22, 25-21 and 25-16. They hit .200 for the match with Fiona Sampaio leading them in scoring with 11 kills. Adelyn Bybee finished with nine kills for Baker while Kierstyn Harmon registered 22 assists in the Tuesday outing.

The two teams traded runs to open things up in the first set with Tabor going up 4-0 out of the gate before Baker responded with a 5-0 run. After the Bluejays retook the lead, the Wildcats' Bybee and Kennedy Bryan teamed up on back-to-back kills to bring them within one, but Tabor would regain their footing to take the set, 25-22.

In the second set, Bybee got going early with three kills in the first bit of action, including a laser down the line to put Baker up 7-4. The Bluejays came right back with a nice spurt to regain the advantage and go up by four midway through the set. A Kierra Hipple kill and a Tabor error brought Baker within striking distance, but the Bluejays were able to create some separation yet again and build their lead to 21-15. The Wildcats looked to mount an impressive comeback with four consecutive points during Bybee's serve, but the visitors were able to survive and take a two-set advantage.

Tabor kept its momentum in the final set as well, taking a quick 7-2 lead before the Wildcats started to chip away at their deficit with kills from Bryan and Bybee making it a two-score ballgame. With the score at 11-7, the Bluejays went on another 7-2 scoring stretch to build their cushion even further before completing the sweep on a 25-16 result.

After playing three matches in three days to begin their season, the Wildcats will take a week break before heading out for their first road trip of the year as they travel to McPherson, Kan. to take on Central Christian and Bethel on Aug. 30 with first serve against the Tigers set for 3 p.m., followed by their match with the Threshers at 5 p.m.

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