By Chris Duderstadt

Dec. 9, 2011

Senior Jamie Starling made a bold statement that the Baker University volleyball team would go a perfect 9-0 in conference play in the regular season.

With the team having a non-conference record of 12-10 going into the conference season, the Wildcats backed up Starling’s guarantee and rolled off nine straight wins on their way to a Heart of America Athletic Conference title.

BU went on to defeat Peru State College and Graceland University in the postseason tournament to set up a highly anticipated rematch with MidAmerica Nazarene University.

Baker defeated MidAmerica Nazarene 3-1 in the regular season to hand the Pioneers their lone loss in conference play, but MNU got the last laugh as it shocked the Wildcats by sweeping them in the HAAC championship game.

While Baker missed out on an automatic bid to the national tournament, it had plenty to be proud of from the 2011 season.

Not only did the Wildcats go undefeated in the HAAC in the regular season, but head coach Kathy Allen recorded her 300th career win.

The ‘Cats finished the season with an overall record of 26-11.

Video Courtesy of Alix Schiraldi: KNBU-TV