Baylor volleyball is on fire after winning the Baylor Classic, finishing undefeated at the Ferrell Center over three games this weekend. The Bears boast a five-game winning streak and remain undefeated at home this season.
The Bears started the tournament sweeping Stephen F. Austin in three sets, each by a score of 25-18. Baylor kept rolling on Saturday morning, beating UNC Greensboro in three sets as well (25-17, 25-19, 25-13).
The Bears’ toughest match took place Saturday night against Rice. The tournament title was in jeopardy after the Lady Bears fell behind early against Rice. The Bears lost the first set 16-25, but were focused to respond well in the rest of the match.
“One of our goals is to stay undefeated at home, and I just think that we were determined to turn it around and not let everyone down,” said junior setter Morgan Reed.
Turn it around they did. The Bears dominated in the second set, winning 25-15.
Reed, who led the team with 16 assists against Rice, was a key player for the Bears’ tournament-winning effort over the weekend.
“We’ve been working on it in practice, and for me to be able to deliver hittable balls to all the hitters, is really important for all the hitters,” Reed said. “[It] helps our offense be able to run effectively.”
Sophomore outside hitter Katie Staiger led the Bears with 13 kills against Rice. Staiger received the tournament MVP award following the match.
Two other Bears received tournament awards. Senior setter Amy Rosenbaum was awarded Best Setter and senior outside hitter Andie Malloy received the Best Blocker award.
After dropping the first set to Rice, the Bears refocused by simplifying and going back to the basics, Staiger said.
“We could be playing better, we just needed to string all the points together,” Staiger said. “We came out after the first game [thinking] we were going to turn it around.”
After a back and forth third set, Staiger had two kills that helped put the set away, winning it 26-24.
By the fourth set, the Bears had all the momentum going their way and carried it into the fourth and final set, winning it 25-16.
McGuyre said the win wasn’t because of just one leader on the team.
“I can honestly say I have 15 leaders on this team,” McGuyre said. “We don’t have captains because the best leaders are the biggest servants, so I’m asking everybody to be a leader. Serving is doing the little things for one another.”
The Bears look to continue their winning streak in conference play. The Bears are back in action at 7 p.m. tonight in Denton against UNT.
