EUGENE Baker had a shot at a trophy Saturday evening at the OSAA/U.S. Bank Class 3A state volleyball championships and Lane Community College.

The Bulldogs, the third-place team from the Greater Oregon League, were set to play Stayton for fourth place.

But, it wasnt to be. Stayton stopped the Bulldogs 15-5, 15-5, and Baker had to settle for seventh place.

Still not bad for a team that many people didnt think would even make the post season.

Seventh place. I think its pretty awesome, said Baker coach Michele McCauley.

To look at where we started and where we ended up; it was fun to see the girls compete like that.

McCauley said it was especially gratifying because the Bulldogs had just three seniors Cassie Scrivner, Mary Kreger and Megan Curtis on their roster. That means Baker will have a solid nucleus returning next season.

Cassie did a nice job of running the floor, and she made some great saves during the tournament, the Baker coach said.

I thought this was a great experience for our younger kids, McCauley said.

Against Stayton, McCauley said, the Bulldogs never put things together.

We just didnt move real well; didnt compete like we should have; didnt have the spark we had the rest of the tournament.

Tanya Denne was a bright spot against Stayton, going a perfect 6 for 6 passing.

Baker opened the tournament on Friday with a 15-11, 13-15, 15-3 win over Waldport.

In that match, Jill Peacock was 19 for 19 serving, and had six kills.

Scrivner had 21 digs and three solo blocks; Kellie Bogart 12 kills; Melanie Smith 12 digs; and Shalene Christy three solo blocks. Christy added four kills in the second game.

The win set the Bulldogs up against Henley, the eventual state champion. Henley defeated Baker 15-10, 15-5.

The first game was the best volleyball weve played all year long, McCauley said.

Overall, we really gave them a challenge. The girls never gave up and played hard. We played a good team really tough.

Scrivner had 12 assists, Mary Kreger four digs, and Denne was 6 for 6 serving.

Saturday, the fourth-place semifinals, the Bulldogs went up against GOL foe, Burns.

Burns had defeated the Bulldogs twice during the regular season, but this time Baker prevailed 13-15, 15-13, 16-14.

In the second game, Baker led 13-6, but ran out of substitutions. Burns rallied to tie the game at 13-13 before Baker finished it off.

We had a little lapse, but the girls held on in a good dog fight, McCauley said.

This was definitely a different team than the one that played Burns during the regular season. We had our offense and defense going.

Peacock finished with 12 kills; Lexie Johnson three solo blocks; Scrivner 14 of 15 serving; Bogart 23 of 24 serving; Kari Staten 27 of 28 hitting with seven kills, 16 of 16 setting with three assists, and two solo blocks; and Melanie Smith 11 of 12 serving.

Cassie played a great defensive game, and offensive game. Kellie served really tough, Melanie served aggressively, and Kari had a great game, McCauley said.