McCauley back for second stint

Michele McCauley returns for her second stint as the Baker coach. McCauley coached the Bulldogs from 1995 through 2001, winning the Greater Oregon League title in 1998, and placing seventh at the Class 3A state tournament in 2001.

“It just seems like the natural progression,” McCauley said of her return to the head job. “After I coached before, I took a couple of years off and then I’ve coached junior varsity or freshmen since that time.

“It’s a ton of fun, and this is a great group of girls.”

Seniors Becca Joseph, Annie Martin, Aly Ogan, Kylie Kitzmiller and Whitney Phillips return from last year’s Greater Oregon League runnerup. Phillips was a first-team all-GOL pick a year ago, and Ogan an honorable mention selection.

Juniors Kelsie Cole and Tori Brown, sophomores Camas Ekman and Darryn McCauley, and La Grande transfer Tiffany Burke round out the varsity roster.

“Offensively, we’re pretty strong,” McCauley said. “To capitalize on that strength we have to be consistent. We’re working on that.

“This is a different team than last year. Communication is huge this year,” the Baker coach said.

Several of the Bulldogs are just under the 6-foot height mark.

“That extra height is a nice bonus,” McCauley said. “We should be strong at the net.”

McCauley said her daughter, Ekman and Joseph will anchor the back row.

Baker opens its season Saturday at the Pendleton tournament. The Bulldogs travel to Fruitland, Idaho, Tuesday.