Wildcats Take Set From No. 18 CMU, Fall to Eagles, 3-1

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – Coming off their first conference win of the season, the Baker volleyball team fell to No. 18 Central Methodist on Saturday despite winning the third set.

Both Aby Widhalm and Kylie Murray tallied 10 kills in the match, while Kaitlyn Stout fell just short of double-digits with nine kills. Taryn Dial led the Wildcats with 18 assists and Kierstyn Harmon followed closely behind with 13. Three different players reached double figures in digs as Emma Grossoehme led with 18, and Dial and Murray added 13 and 10 respectively to give Murray the double-double.

Baker got out to a slow start in set one. Trailing 7-5, Central Methodist would outscore the Wildcats 18-6 throughout the rest of the set to win, 25-11 and take a 1-0 lead in the match.

Highlighted by three service aces from Kylie Murray, Baker jumped out to a strong 6-2 lead in set two. Baker held the lead for most of the second set until CMU regained the lead at 19-18. Late in the set, Baker was able to cut the lead to one on a kill from Widhalm, 24-23, but an attack error gave the Eagles the win, 25-23 and extended their lead to 2-0 in the match.

Looking to keep the match alive, the Wildcats and Eagles traded points until a kill from Widhalm and a service ace from Harmon gave Baker a 14-11 lead. Baker held onto that lead until CMU once again came back and took a 22-21 lead. Baker would not go away though as a kill from Stout gave Baker a 23-22 lead. Baker then scored two of the last three points on another ace from Harmon and a kill from Stout after a long rally to give Baker their first set win over Central Methodist since 2016, 25-23.

Baker fell behind early in set four and could never fully recover, despite a late run to cut the lead down. Baker trailed 24-12, but the Wildcats scored five straight points to bring the lead within seven until a service error ended the match, giving Central Methodist the 3-1 win.

Baker is now 8-4 on the season and sits at 1-3 in Heart of America play. They will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 27, when they travel to Atchison, Kan., to take on Benedictine at 7:00 p.m.

#BakerBuildsChampions