Baker completes perfect GOL season

The Bulldogs improved their GOL record to 9-0 with a 25-17, 25-17, 25-19 victory over the Pioneers in the Baker gym.

As convincing as the win was, Baker coach Michele McCauley wasn’t smiling after the match.

“We made some unforced errors,” McCauley said.

“We were in cruise control, or like I told the girls kind of on auto pilot,” the Baker coach said. “Then every once in awhile we’d make something happen.

“This next week we’ll work on getting out of cruise control before our state match Saturday.”

Baker will host a Class 4A second round match Nov. 7. The aren’t yet sure who their opponent will be.

The Cowapa League third-place team (Banks or Seaside) will play the Far West League third-place team (Siuslaw or Brookings) Wednesday to earn the right to travel to Baker.

Against Mac-Hi, Baker trailed in each of the three games before rallying.

In Game 1, the Bulldogs fell behind 9-6 before battling back behind the serving of Emily Smith and the net play of Kylie Kitzmiller. Smith served three straight points, all with the help of Kitzmiller kills, to push Baker on top 13-10.

Mac-Hi stayed within two points until Baker led 18-16. Then Tori Brown served four straight points to help put the game away.

Game 2 was close until Whitney Phillips served five unanswered points to give Baker a 23-15 cushion. Smith then served the game-winner, with an assist from Annie Martin’s hit.

Mac-Hi hung around most of Game 3, trailing just 20-19 late in the game.

Then, Tiffany Burke had a scoring tip, Kelsey Cole had an ace serve, and Phillips and Kitzmiller added scoring kills to put the match away.

Kitzmiller finished with 12 kills. Brown added 10, and Burk six. Becca Joseph had 24 digs, and Smith 14.

Phillips was 16-for-16 serving and had 19 assists. Cole added 15 assists.

Baker also won the junior varsity match 25-17, 25-17.