Wildcats Swept by Pioneers in Conference Opener

OLATHE, Kan. - Baker volleyball had its three-game winning streak snapped in its first match of Heart of America play as the Wildcats fell to MidAmerica Nazarene in straight sets on Tuesday night in Olathe, Kan.

The Pioneers took the match on scores of 25-17, 25-17 and 25-15, forcing the Wildcats attack to hit a season-low .042 for the match. Olivia Deichmann recorded six kills to lead BU while Reese Kehl had 11 digs and Emma Grossehome tallied nine assists.

In the first set, MNU jumped out to take an early lead and saw it stretch out to a 14-6 advantage midway through the frame. An attack by Meredith Brown got the Wildcats within striking distance at 19-13, but the Pioneers eventually claimed the opening set, 25-17.

The Pioneers carried over the momentum in the second set, scoring the first five points and then going up 13-6 on its third ace of the period. Brown and Kylie Murray notched back-to-back kills to halt the MNU run, but the hosts maintained control for the rest of the set to go up 2-0.

Baker got going early in a must-win third set with Brown, Kennedy Bryan and Adelyn Bybee all scoring points during the stretch. The two teams would trade points until the Pioneers pulled ahead by winning four straight points and forcing a BU timeout. MNU would go on to secure the sweep on back-to-back kills to give the Wildcats their first loss in the month of September.

With a 5-4 overall record, the Wildcats return to Baldwin City for a two-match homestand, beginning with a non-conference matchup against Stephens College on Thursday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. inside Collins Gym.

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