BAKER VOLLEYBALL: Bulldogs beat Lakeview, fall to Burns

Published 12:27 pm Saturday, September 7, 2024

The Baker volleyball team traveled to Burns on Saturday, Sept. 7, opening with a four-set win over Lakeview, then losing in three sets to unbeaten Burns.

Baker vs. Burns

Baker led almost the entire first set and seemed poised to give the Hilanders their first lost set this season. Baker led by as much as 13-6 before Burns rallied to tie it at 14. Baker regained the lead at 21-19, but Burns took its first lead at 22-21 and went on to win the first set, 25-21.

The second set was close as well, but again Burns won the crucial points late to take the set, 25-23. The Hilanders led 9-3 early but Baker took the lead with a 7-0 run on Rupel’s serve, including two aces. Baker led 15-11 but Burns rallied to tie it 15, and there were ties at 16, 18, 20 and 22 before the Hilanders closed with a 3-1 run. Raegan Gulick and Sydney Penning each had kills late in the set, but Baker couldn’t string together enough points.

Burns was in control throughout the third and final set, taking a 13-4 lead en route to a 25-11 win to stay unbeaten on the season at 7-0. The Hilanders have beaten Baker’s Greater Oregon League rivals La Grande and Pendleton.

Baker fell to 2-5.

Baker coach Ali Woodward said she was encouraged by the Bulldogs’ performance against Burns, but disappointed that they didn’t win at least one set after leading in each of the first two.

“We blew a lead in each of those,” she said. “Definitely in the second set, we should have had that one. I think we just ran out of gas.”

Woodward said the Bulldogs didn’t adjust well to Burns’ fast-paced offense, which relies on quick sets to their hitters.

Baker vs. Lakeview

Baker led most of the first set but the Honkers rallied to win 25-23. Baker won the first six points on Sofia Hanson’s serve, including an ace. Lakeview took its first lead at 11-10, but Baker led 22-20 after Kathryn Gentry had consecutive kills on Lakeview overpasses.

The score was tied at 22 and 23 before Lakeview scored the final two points on a kill and an attack error.

Baker rebounded to win the second set, 25-21. The Bulldogs again gave up an early lead, this one 10-3 after winning seven straight points on Taylor Churchfield’s serve. Lakeview rallied to lead 17-15, but Baker scored six straight points and this time held off the Honkers. Lexi Rupel had a key kill to give Baker a 22-19 lead. 

Baker won the third set, 25-17. The set was close much of the way, with ties at 3, 5, 10, 12 and 14. Baker went on a 4-0 run to take the lead for good, and ended the set on a 5-1 run.

Baker made it three straight sets to claim its second match win of the season, 25-19. The Bulldogs never trailed in the fourth set, leading by as many as 10 points before Lakeview rallied to get within 22-19. But Gentry and Jaxyn Ramos conbined on a block, and Gentry had a kill to help close out of the match.

Woodward said Baker needs to be more consistent, especially when the Bulldogs take a lead, as they did in each of the four sets against Lakeview.

She said Baker struggles, as it did last year, late in sets, whether they’re ahead or behind.

She was pleased, though, that the team was resilient after giving away the lead in the first set against the Honkers.

“I’m glad that we were able to rebound from a first-set loss,” she said. “It always feels good to win.”

Baker travels to Parma, Idaho, on Tuesday, Sept. 10 for a 5:30 p.m. PDT match.

Other Saturday volleyball

Also on Saturday, Powder Valley improved to 7-2 on the season by winning all three of its matches at the Heppner tournament.

The Badgers went five sets in two of the matches, beating Heppner 25-17, 13-25, 25-17, 16-26, 15-11, and beating Grant Union 14-25, 25-14, 20-25, 25-22, 15-11. The Badgers beat Weston-McEwen in four sets, 16-25, 25-21, 25-17, 25-19.

Results from the Prairie City tournament:

• Spray/Mitchell/Wheeler beat Huntington, 25-12, 25-14

• Prairie City/Burnt River beat Huntington, 25-10, 25-15

• Prairie City/Burnt River beat Spray/Mitchell/Wheeler, 25-15, 25-12

• Prairie City/Burnt River beat Harper Charter, 25-16, 25-7

Baker boys soccer

Baker fell to 0-3 on the season with a 6-2 loss at Fruitland on Saturday.

Kane Hellberg scored one of Baker’s goals, assisted by Aldo Duran. Alan Bedolla scored Baker’s second goal on a header.