Wildcats Pick Up Non-Conference Win vs. Southwestern on Saturday

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – Getting back to .500 on the season, the Baker volleyball team took down Southwestern on Saturday in four sets by scores of 26-24, 25-23, 22-25 and 25-19.

Baker had three different players reach double figures in kills as Kierra Hipple and Kylie Murray each had 11 kills, while Meredith Brown tacked on 10 kills of her own. Both Kierstyn Harmon and Emma Grossoehme picked up double-doubles on the day as Harmon had 21 assists and 13 digs, while Grossoehme added 19 assists and 20 digs.

Both teams traded points early in set one, but part way through, Southwestern took a 13-11 lead and forced Baker to call a timeout. Baker would eventually be down 16-12, but The Wildcats got hot and turned things around to take a 19-16 lead on a service ace from Hipple. After Southwestern tied the game at 24 late, a kill by Kady Vialpando and an error from Southwestern ended the first set and gave Baker a 26-24 win.

The Moundbuilders jumped out to a slim lead early in set two, but Baker fought their way back into it. Late in the set, the Wildcats trailed by two points, 21-19, but the Wildcats scored six of the final eight points to win set two, 25-23 and take a 2-0 lead in the match.

Again in set three, Southwestern was able to snag an early lead, but this time they held off any major runs from the Wildcats as Baker dropped set three, 25-22, but still had a 2-1 lead in the match.

Baker came out firing in set four, jumping out to an early 6-2 lead on a kill from Brown. Part way through the set, Baker and Southwestern were tied a 12, but Baker caught fire once again and went on a 9-1 run and led 21-13. The Moundbuilders showed fight but could not come back as Baker won set three, 25-19 and won the match, 3-1.

Baker is now 3-3 on the season. They will be back at home on Tuesday, Sept. 5, when they host Southwest Baptist at 6:00 p.m., inside the Collins Center.

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