BAKER — If the remainder of District 1-1A play is as easy for Baker School’s volleyball team Monday night’s match with Class 4A Walton the Gators should be in good shape.
Baker made quick work of the Braves sweeping the match in straight sets 25-13, 25-9, 25-18. The match lasted less than an hour as the Gators hit their stride early and never let up.
“Overall I’m pleased with the way we played,” Gator Coach Tommiko Parks said. “We came out strong and served well. We played well at the net and we played well defensively.
“It was one of our better overall games of the seasons. We always play bigger teams for a reason. And this is a good win as we get ready for out district tournament.”
Walton scored the first point of the match. It was the only lead the Braves would have all night. They did manage to tie the third set 17-17, but that was the extent of their threat.
Emily Stewart was in serve as Baker (8-4) ran off five straight points to take a 6-1 lead in the first set. A Walton score made it 6-2 in the set before Baker scored another five straight points to make it 11-2.
The Braves never got any closer than nine points in the first set.
Back-to-back kills by Taylor Brunson and Stewart to start the second set sparked an early Baker rally that saw the Gators score the first five points of the set.
A few minutes later Brittany Brunson had two straight kills to put Baker up 11-1 in the set and the Braves never really challenged in the set.
The Braves try to stand their ground in the third set, but by then Baker was firmly in control of the match.
The Gators were up 16-10 in the third set when Walton went on a 7-1 run to tie the set at 17-17. Baker closed the set with an 8-1 run to seal the match.
Brittany Brunson led Baker with nine kills. Taylor Brunson had a big night with a pair of aces, 14 assists, one block, eight digs and seven kills.
BAKER 3, WALTON 0: 25-13, 25-9, 25-18
Baker stats: 1 ace, 13 assists, 8 digs, 1 kill; Brittany Brunson 1 ace, 4 digs, 9 kills; Emily Stewart 4 aces, 10 digs, 7 kills; Taylor Brunson 2 aces 14 assists, 1 block, 8 digs, 7 kills; Whitley Taylor 1 ace, 15 digs; Amanda Parisi 1 kill; Ayajah Coleman 2 blocks, 5 aces; Ashley Black 1 ace, 2 digs, 1 kill.
Baker-Walton volleyball stats
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker makes quick work of Walton