BAKER — It should come as no surprise that the Baker School volleyball team is hitting its stride.
The Gators will put their 11-consecutive district championship run on the line in next week’s District 3-1A tournament at Jay.
Baker-Laurel Hill volleyball photos >>>
Baker has some unfinished business in the regular season that started Monday against local rival Laurel Hill, the defending District 1-1A champs.
As was the case in their meeting earlier this season the Gators swept the Hoboes in three sets. The scores were 25-18, 25-18, 25-15.
Taylor Brunson had a couple of aces early in the first set for the Gators (15-3) as Baker never trailed in the set although the Hoboes (17-4) managed to tie the set three times.
The final tie in the set came at 16-16.
A kill by Hartley Moate was the first Gator point in a 9-2 run that saw Baker close out the set.
Gator Coach Tommiko Parks was happy with the win, but saw some things the team needs to work on before next week’s district tournament.
“I think we did some things well,” she said. “We were kind of down a little bit, but sometimes that happens after a long weekend. We kind of picked up a little bit and started doing the things we need to do to get ready to make another district run.
“It was Breast Cancer Awareness night and the girls did a good job of trying to stay focused.”
Ashley Hatfield and Morgan Meeks helped Laurel Hill get off to an early 5-4 lead in the second set. But a Hobo serving error followed by a Ashley Black kill for the Gators gave Baker the lead in the match for good.
Moate was serving as Baker stretched the lead to 16-6.
Kaylee L’Homme and Bridget Zessin tried to make some plays to pull Laurel Hill within striking distance. A point by L’Homme closed the Gator lead to 19-17.
Emily Stewart’s kill started the Gators on a 6-1 run to close out the set.
Laurel Hill took a 2-0 lead in the third set only to see the Gators pull away for the easy win.
Hobo Coach Kent Zessin said the Hoboes executed well early in the match, but ultimately the Gators showed why they are one of the best teams in the state.
“I really felt like we had a good game plan coming in,” he said. “We knew it would be a hostile crowd. Baker always plays well on their home court.
“I thought we did well on the net defensively. I’m proud of the girls.”
Moate, who was playing in her next-to-the-last regular season home match, powered Baker with eight kills and four aces. Taylor Brunson had 19 assists, seven digs, three kills and two aces. Brittany Brunson had 12 digs and three kills and Ashley Black had seven kills, three digs and a pair of aces.
Zessin led the Hoboes with seven kills. Hatfield had two aces and five digs. Rachel Welsh had seven digs.
EmailNews Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gators sweep Hoboes (PHOTOS)