By Gio Gennero | Sports Writer
No. 12 Baylor volleyball (5-3) won against McNeese State University (5-5) in three straight sets in their first meeting since 2012. The Bears are now on a four match win streak, and have increased their streak in sets where their opponent was held under 20 points to nine-straight sets. Baylor has only given up one set in the past four matches.
“Overall, I love their energy, love how they support each other,” head coach Ryan McGuyre said.
First Set:
The Bears started the match off strong, jumping out to a 11-5 lead over the Cowgirls. Baylor would keep momentum on their side and widen the lead to 20-11. Baylor went on to take the set 25-16 and give themselves a 1-0 set lead.
Second Set:
McNeese State struck first in the set, keeping things interesting early on, leading Baylor 6-5. The Bears would then go on a quick three point run, prompting a McNeese State timeout. Baylor kept their energy following the timeout building a 12-6 lead. Keeping themselves in the match, the Cowgirls would fight to cut the lead to three until a kill from senior outside hitter Yossiana Pressley made it 16-12. The impenetrable blocking of the Bears allowed them to take the set 25-14.
Third Set:
Baylor struck early and often, finding themselves with a 5-0 lead before a McNeese State timeout. The Bears kept rolling and a block pushed the Baylor lead to 11-4. Never quite looking back, Baylor won the third set 25-16, holding their opponent under 20 points for the ninth straight set, completing the sweep.
The senior duo of Pressley and setter Hannah Sedwick continues to click on a high level. The two are in their fifth season at Baylor and their chemistry has been undeniable as it has become one of the most consistent things for the team.
“There’s times that we’re just clicking so well and it’s just automatic,” Pressley said. “I mean we do struggle sometimes because nobody’s perfect, but it is definitely automatic. I love it.”
Despite their current win streak, coach McGuyre said he still believes the team has some growing to do with conference matches coming up. However, he said the players have gotten more comfortable and he’s confident in the Bears going forward.
“We’re zero and zero as we head into conference,” McGuyre said. “We got to be great for this next weekend, and I still think that we got a long way to go and be great for December. More types of sets I know we’re able to run more efficiently. I’d love to see our transition games still be a lot stronger and I think our blocking has kind of been hiding a little bit of our lack of terminating, in some of those situations. But, I think the roles have been able to be more clearly defined, and so now we got to build them up within each of those roles.”
The Bears will travel to Manhattan, Kansas to play two matches against Kansas State University (9-2). The first match will take place Saturday Sept. 25 at Bramlage Coliseum.
