Baylor Takes Second In State Volleyball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Baylor volleyball team had another outstanding season, but it didn't end the way they had wanted.
Facing the Lipscomb Academy Lady Mustangs for the second time this week in the Division II-AA state tournament at Middle Tennessee Christian School, the second time wasn't nearly as close as the first as the team from Nashville swept the Lady Raiders, winning by scores of 25-14, 25-23 and 25-18.
It was the second state volleyball title for Lipscomb and the first since 2004 as they ended a good season at 22-7. Baylor finishes at 27-6.
Lipscomb coach Stefine House knew that her team was facing another big challenge after beating Baylor in five sets on Tuesday. She really didn't change anything as she just encouraged her girls to play their style of volleyball.
They did just that and did it very well.
"We've had a great last couple of weeks, but winning another state title has been our goal since the start," House said while a huge group of Mustang fans continued their celebration.
"I really didn't change anything from our first match, but just urged my girls to play for each other. We just had one mission in mind today. I thought we played well when we needed to and did a good job of staying focused.
"But I'm really proud of these girls as they played a great match today," the coach continued.
Baylor coach Sarah Lail wants to win just as much as anyone. She was obviously sad with Thursday's loss, but just as proud of her team as she ever has been.
"Kudos to Lipscomb as they played fantastic volleyball today," Lail began shortly after the match ended.
"Their defense and their blocking was phenomenal. Those guys have been on fire all tournament and it seemed like we were on defense the whole match. Balls we normally put down kept getting returned.
"These girls never gave up. I'm sad that we lost, but not upset at all with the way we played. Lipscomb was just the better team today," she nodded.
The first set was close early before a kill from Grace George gave the Lady Mustangs a 6-5 lead, an advantage that Baylor never got back.
A kill from tournament MVP Ruby Walton put Lipscomb up 14-11, but the issue was settled when Emory Slack reeled off seven straight service points. Emma Mulvaney had a couple of kills late for Baylor, but another kill from George gave Lipscomb the 1-0 lead.
There were nine ties in the second set and two lead changes, the biggest lead for the Lady Mustangs at 18-9 following a Baylor hitting error.
Addi Kegerreis had a kill for Baylor to make it 18-10 before Nina Lail reeled off eight straight service points to even the score, but Lipscomb never flinched as they quickly scored the next two points and won the second set on a Baylor service error.
A kill from Kegerreis gave Baylor the early lead in the third set, but a kill from Walton knotted the score at 4-4 before her team scored seven of the next eight points, leading to Baylor's first timeout.
Lipscomb's biggest lead was 11 points on three occasions, including the last at 22-11 following an ace from Walton. Baylor had a short rally to get within 23-18, but back-to-back kills from Kailey Thomas provided the winning points for the Lady Mustangs.
Walton was a one-person wrecking crew who seemingly scored every time she touched a ball. She finished the match with 14 kills, two assists, five aces and six digs.
Thomas finished with 10 kills and George seven while Tori Church had 32 assists. Mary Catherine Hall led the way with 21 digs while Zoe Picardo had 13.
Kegerreis had 14 kills to lead Baylor while Sydney Sharpe had 21 assists. Rory Oleksik was tops with 15 digs while Brenna Bagley followed with 10.
(Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)
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