BAKER — Tuesday was just another night at the office for the Baker School volleyball team as the Gators hosted Northview in District 3-1A play.
The match might not have been over before it started, but it didn’t take Baker long to dispose of the Chiefs. The Gators won in straight sets by scores of 25-7, 25-20, 25-14 as they showed why they’ll be favored to win a 12 straight district title later this month.
Baker-Northview volleyball photos>>>
On night when little went wrong for the Baker varsity team the Gator junior varsity swept the Chiefs 2-0 in a match that only lasted about 30 minutes.
The quick ending to the junior varsity match allowed the varsity match to start 10 minutes early. The Gators (12-3, 7-0) were up 15-3 by the scheduled 6 p.m. starting time and well on their way to win and an early supper.
Northview offered some resistance in the second set and, at one point, led 12-6.
A strategic timeout by Gator Coach Tommiko Parks turned the tide as Baker scored three quick points to climb within striking distance. Kelsee McGraw powered the run with two of her game-high 14 kills.
“I think we came out and we played smart at times,” Parks said. “We’ve been working on sharpening up our game and doing things right.
“We changed some things in our lineup to give some different looks. We want to be able to change some things around and adjust your game to what other people are doing.”
Baker pulled even in the set at 18-18 when McGraw and Brittany Brunson teamed up for a block to spark a 7-2 Gator run to end the set.
The Gators finished off their early evening in style in the third set. The set was tied 5-5 when Baker went on another big run that has become the norm to mark the beginning of the end for the Chiefs.
Emily Stewart had a kill early in the run and Whitley Taylor had an ace toward the end of the set as Baker went on to close out the match.
The most impressive thing about the Gator victory might have been Baker’s 49 digs that showed the hustle and determination of the Gators.
Lena Daoud topped Baker with 23 digs. Sarah Nunley, Taylor Brunson and Whitely Taylor each had five digs.
Taylor Brunson had 20 assists and a kill as well. Ashley Black had four kills, three digs, three aces and a block for the Gators.
EmailNews Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gators make quick work of Chiefs (PHOTOS, VIDEO)