Nov. 17 | Baker ends season with loss to Columbia

Baker University’s volleyball team ended its season Tuesday with a loss to Columbia College 3-0 in Columbia, Mo., in the NAIA Region V tournament.

Ranked No. 7, the Wildcats gave the Cougars all they could handle although losing 30-19, 30-24, and 30-22.

Leading the way for the ’Cats was freshman Alexis Pryor with eight kills, followed by sophomore Jenifer Koelzer with six and junior Barb Ludwig with five. Koelzler also tallied 21 assists, averaging 11.4 per game for the season. In addition, juniors Leslie Kersting and Kendra Cody recorded eights digs each.

The loss ended the ’Cats’ season with a 25-12 record overall and second place finish in the Heart of America Athletic Conference regular season.

“I couldn’t be prouder of my team,” Allen said. “They were one of the most unselfish groups I’ve ever coached. I was please with the results. We played well and stayed cohesive as a team.”

Five Wildcats earned HAAC honors. Koelzer and senior Emily Allred earned 1st team, junior Vanessa Wardy 2nd team and Ludwig and freshman Jayde Allen honorable mention honors. Both Allred and Wardy finished with the top two hitting percentages in the conference, .405 and .375 respectively.

“We have a solid group of returners,” Allen said. “Freshmen Jayde, Alexis and Lindsey Sanders all stepped up and did a good job."

Nov. 7 | Baker fall in rematch with Graceland

Baker University's volleyball experienced an unexpected set back Tuesday night in the first round of Heart of America Athletic Conference tournament play, losing to No. 6 seed Graceland University 1-3 in the Collins Center.

Seeded No. 3, the 'Cats jumped out early, winning a close first game 32-30 for the early advantage. Graceland fought back, winning the second game in extra points 31-29 and picked up another close battle in the third game, 30-28.

After taking an early leads in each of the first three games, the Wildcats struggled for control in the fourth game, which BU eventually lost 30-23.

Errors doomed the 'Cats as the team totaled 17 attack errors.

Freshman Alexis Pryor led the team in kills with 19 total while senior Emily Allred finished with 14 and junior Vanessa Wardy tallied 11. Sophomore setter Jennifer Koelzer recorded 55 assists and 14 digs. Freshman Jayde Allen led the way with 18 digs as junior Leslie Kersting and senior Sarah Douglass totalled 16 and 14 digs respectively.

Although the loss ended the Wildcats' postseason conference tournament hopes, BU is still alive in regional play.

Nov. 3 | Baker to host first round match in HAAC tourney

Correction: The game will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at Collins Gym.

Baker University’s volleyball team secured the No. 3 seed in this weekend’s Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament.

The Wildcats will play host to No. 6 Graceland University at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Collins Center. The two teams met on Oct. 25 in Baldwin City when the ’Cats won 3-0 on their senior night. If the Wildcats win Saturday, they will play the winner of No. 2 Evangel University and No. 7 Central Methodist University. Baker lost to EU 3-0 on Sept. 22 and beat CMU 3-2 a week later.

HAAC Tourney Bracket (pdf)

Oct. 27 | Baker sweeps Graceland on Senior Night

Baker University’s volleyball team gave its five seniors a win in their last regular season home game Tuesday night at the Collins Center, beating Graceland University 3-0.

Seniors Emily Allred, Emily Grabner, Sarah Douglass, Stacie Garland, and Michelle Seta and their families received a pre-game recognition before the start and Grabner, who was sidelined with a torn ACL in knee on Sept.  , was saw action taking the first serve of the match.

All three games remained close, but Baker managed to pull ahead late in the first for the first game win 30-24. But Graceland kept fighting, taking the second game into extra points, and tying the game at 30 all before Baker picked up its second game 32-30. The ’Cats didn’t need the extra points in the third game, finishing the match and the Yellowjackets 30-27.

Junior Barb Ludwig had 14 kills to lead the team and freshman Alexis Pryor  added another 11 kills. Senior Sarah Douglass and junior Kendra Cody finished with 9 and 8 digs respectively.

The win improves Baker’s overall record to 24-10 and 6-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. If the Wildcats win Tuesday’s match up against MidAmerica Nazarene University Tuesday in Olathe, Baker will be guaranteed to finish at least tied in the No. 2 spot in the HAAC conference.

Barb Ludwig

Oct. 17 | Wildcats win pair of matches

Baker University’s volleyball team picked up two solid victories last week, defeating Haskell Indian Nations University 3-0 and Heart of America Athletic Conference opponent Avila University 3-1.

The ’Cats picked up their first win Tuesday in Kansas City, Mo., beating the Eagles 30-20, 30-26, 25-30, and 30-16.

Junior Barb Ludwig and freshman Alexis Prior led BU with 14 and 12 kills respectively. Both senior middle blockers Emily Allred and Vanessa Wardy added four blocks and junior setter Jennifer Koelzer totaled 46 assists from the four-game match. Freshman Jayde Allen and Junior Kendra Cody recorded 18 digs each.

Baker quickly swept its Thursday home match versus the Fighting Indians, 30-20, 30-9, and 30-11.

The game allowed all roster players to see action, with BU’s junior varsity team starting and playing the entire first game.

Prior and Allred led the way on offense with 11 and 8 kills each while Koelzer and senior Stacie Garland split time at setter, totaling 24 and 9 assists respectively.

The two wins improve Baker’s record to 21-9 and 8-1 in the conference.

Next up will be another HAAC game against rival Benedictine College at 5:30 and 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

Oct. 5 | Baker sweeps Missouri Valley

The Baker University women’s volleyball team dominated in its first action at Collins Gym since Sept. 22, sweeping Missouri Valley College Tuesday.

The Wildcats who have played in tournaments hosted by MidAmerica Nazarene University and Lindenwood University in the past few weeks, came home to continue conference action against the Vikings.

Baker came on strong in the first game, winning 30-18 and taking Missouri Valley out of the game. The Wildcats won the subsequent games 30-23 and 30-24 to put away the match.

The Wildcats now stand at 19-9 and have a 3-1 record in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The team has a week off before playing at Avila University in Kansas City, Mo. Oct. 11. The next home game for the team is Oct. 13 against Haskell Indian Nations University at 7 p.m.

Kathy Allen

Oct. 4 | Wildcats win three of five

The Baker University volleyball team picked up three wins over the weekend to help boost its conference and overall records.

The team defeated conference foe Central Methodist University 3-2 Thursday in Fayette, Mo. before traveling to St. Charles, Mo. to compete in the Lindenwood Fall Classic.

During the tournament, the Wildcats swept William Woods and Lambuth University while they dropped matches to McKendree (3-1) and Missouri Baptist (3-0).

After the weekend’s results, the team’s record stands at 18-9 and 2-1 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The team’s next action is Tuesday at 7 p.m. against Missouri Valley College in Collins Gym.

The Baker volleyball team bounced back from its first HAAC loss of the season to win four of five in the MidAmerica Nazarene Invitational Friday and Saturday.

The tournament didn't get off to a good start, with the Wildcats getting swept by nationally-ranked Hasting College. However, the Wildcats came back with a vengance, winning their next four matches.

In fact, Baker only lost one more game during the rest of the tournament, defeating McPherson College 3-1, and sweeping Ottawa University, Southwestern College, and Sterling College.

For her efforts in the tournament, sophomore setter Jenifer Koelzer was recognized as setter of the week in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.

After the tournament, the Wildcats' record is now 15-7 and 1-1 in the HAAC. The Wildcats will play Central Methodist University at 7 p.m. Thursday in Fayette, Mo. before heading to St. Charles, Mo. to compete in the Lindenwood Fall Classic Friday and Saturday. Baker will next play at home Tuesday against Missouri Valley College at 7 p.m. in Collins Gym.

The Baker University volleyball team fell for the first time in conference play Thursday after being swept by Evangel University at Collins Gym.

The Crusaders won 30-25, 30-17, 30-26 in the Wildcats' first action since falling to NCAA Div. II school Rockhurst University over a week ago.

In each of the first two games, Evangel jumped out to a big, early lead before the Wildcats tried to claw their way back into the match. Ultimately, however, the Crusaders proved too strong for Baker to make much headway.

The Wildcats are now 11-6 and 1-1 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play. They will next play in the MidAmerica Nazarene Invitational Friday and Saturday in Olathe. The team's next home match is against Missouri Valley College on October 4.

Barb Ludwig

Sept. 15 | Baker falls in three to Rockhurst

The Baker University volleyball team was swept by the Rockhurst University Hawks Tuesday in Kansas City, Mo.

The NCAA Div. II No. 21 team didn't allows Baker to get into the match winning the first game 30-15 and then winning 30-18 and 30-11.

Sophomore setter Jenifer Koelzer had 20 assists and juniors Barb Ludwig and Vanessa Wardy each had six kills for the Wildcats in the losing effort

Baker now sits at 11-5 and has an extended break before returnng home Sept. 22 to face conference foe Evangel University in Collins Gym.

Emily Allred

Jenifer Koelzer

Sept. 12 | Wildcats win three matches in Invite

The Wildcats hosted teams from all over the Midwest in the 2005 Baker Invitational Volleyball tournament Friday and Saturday, and left with three victories, including two over Region V rivals.

Baker defeated the University of Illinois-Springfield to begin the tournament 3-0, winning convincingly 30-16, 30-19, 30-26. Sophomore setter Jenifer Koelzer had 42 of the Wildcats' 47 assists in the win.

The 'Cats then went on to defeat Asbury College (Ken.) 3-1 before losing to Bethel College 3-2 Saturday. However, Baker came back to defeat McKendree College 3-1 to close out the tournament.

After the tournament, senior middle hitter Emily Allred and Koelzer were named to the All-Tournament team. Evangel's Brittini Harris was named the tournament MVP.

Baker currently has a record of 11-4 heading into Tuesday's match against Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Mo. The Wildcat volleyball team has a long road stretch and will not return home until Sept. 22 to face conference foe Evangel University in Collins Gym.

Freshman libero Jayde Allen passes the ball during the Wildcats' 3-0 victory over the William Jewell Cardinals Tuesday at Collins Gym.

A balanced attack helped Baker University’s volleyball team beat rival William Jewell College in three games Tuesday in Baldwin City.

The Cardinals got closest in the first game, losing 30-24, and then fell the next two games 30-22.

Baker’s dominating performance pleased head coach Kathy Allen.

“I think we were pretty well in-sync,” Allen said. “Other than a slow start, I didn’t see a whole lot of problems with our game. We played good basic ball.”

Allen cited the performance of sophomore right-side hitter Kelly Wilbur of Shawnee, who finished with seven blocks and six kills. Freshman libero Jayde Allen recorded 21 digs while sophomore setter Jenifer Koezler had 30 assists and junior outside hitter Barb Ludwig led the team with 12 kills.

The victory came after garnering three wins at the College of the Ozarks Invitational Friday and Saturday. The team defeated Kansas Wesleyan, Lyon College and Tabor College, but fell to NAIA No. 24 John Brown University and NAIA No. 6 Madonna University.

The win boosted Baker’s record to 8-3 on the season. Next up for the ’Cats will be the Baker Invitational Friday and Saturday at Collins Center. Baker will play at 3 and 7 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday.

The Baker University volleyball dropped its first match of the season, losing 3-0 to NCAA Div. II Washburn University.

The Ichabods, ranked No. 18 in the nation, never let the Wildcats into the match, winning the first game 30-22 and winning the next two games 30-22 and 30-13.

Junior middle hitter Vanessa Wardy had six kills for the Wildcats, while freshman libero Jayde Allen had 15 digs on defense.

The loss drops the team to 4-1 heading into this weekend’s College of the Ozarks Classic in Branson, Mo. The team will face off against Kansas Wesleyan, John Brown University, and Lyon University Friday, and then will play Madonna University and Tabor College Saturday.

Sophomore setter Jenifer Koelzer (16) jump-sets the ball as junior outside hitter Barb Ludwig (10) prepares to go for the kill during the Wildcats' match against Evangel University Saturday. The Wildcats won the match 3-1.

The Baker University volleyball team got its season off to a fantastic start, winning all four of its matches during the Preseason Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament Friday and Saturday at Collins Gym.

Not only did the team go 4-0 during the tournament, it only lost a solitary game during the tournament. In all the team defeated conference foes Benedictine College (30-27, 30-28, 30-25), Avila University (30-21, 30-11, 31-29), Central Methodist University (30-25, 30-19, 30-29) and Evangel College (30-27, 30-28, 27-30, 30-28).

Sophomore setter Jenifer Koelzer, a first-team All-HAAC selection last year, helped direct the Wildcats on the court. She also has implemented a new jump-set that allowed for the Baker offense to be quicker and more unpredictable, as evidenced by the domination shown by the team.

Other partipants in the tournament included MidAmerica Nazarene University, Culver-Stockton College and Graceland University.

The Wildcats, who were picked second in the preseason conference poll behind only Lindenwood University, will be on the road until Sept. 6 when they host conference foe William Jewell College at 5:30 (JV) and 7 p.m. (V) at Collins Gym. Until then, the team will play Washburn University Aug. 30 in Topeka before participating in the College of the Ozarks Classic Sept. 2-3.