Baylor Volleyball Wins Early Bird Tournament

Lady Red Raiders Claim Title With Sweep Of Powerhouse Brentwood

  • Saturday, August 20, 2016
  • special report to chattanoogan.com
Baylor improved to 10-0 winning the Early Bird Tournament held in Knoxville.
 
The 40-team tournament was loaded with top tier teams including many state champions in their respective divisions. 
 
Baylor went 3-0 on Friday with wins over Halls, Portland, and Riverdale giving them the second seed in Saturday'spool play. 
 
Baylor won early matches against Kings Academy (25-8, 25-8) and CAK (25-12, 25-11) and would face defending AAA State Champion Brentwood to secure a spot in the gold bracket. 
Assistant Coach Kurt Emmanuele has been with the program for 26 years and couldn't remember a time the Lady Raiders have beaten the Lady Bruins.  He didn't have to wait much longer as Baylor won in two sets 25-14, 25-19.
 

The gold bracket included state powerhouses Brentwood, Webb, Blessed Trinity (GA), Farragut, Hillcrest (SC), Maryville, Hardin Valley, Signal Mountain, Ravenwood and Baylor. 

Baylor faced off against Farragut in the quarterfinal match winning in two sets (25-17, 25-20).  The Lady Raiders then played Blessed Trinity while defending state champ Brentwood and Webb were battling it out on court 1.
 
Baylor won the first set 25-20, but Blessed Trinity turned on its defense and took set two 27-25.  The third set was a defensive and offensive showcase on both sides on the net with Baylor prevailing 15-13.

Baylor would get a short break as Brentwood beat Webb in a three set match. 
 
After a day of great volleyball from multiple teams the finals were set for a rematch. Baylor coach Sarah Lail said, "I am a fan of good volleyball and tonight was fun to watch."  
 
The teams went back and forth with great hits and defensive plays.  Baylor claimed the first set 25-19, but knew the Bruins would not go down without at fight.  Brentwood's hitters turned on the heat in set two and Baylor answered with great defensive plays allowing Baylor to score from multiple locations across the net. 
 
Baylor claimed the Early Bird Championship with a set two victory 25-19, 25-19.

Combined stats 

Sarah Sumida 4 aces, 22 kills, 189 assists, 3 blocks, 36 digs
Gabby Gray 4 aces, 67 kills, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 34 digs
Ally Craig 8 aces, 41 kills, 6 blocks, 26 digs
Lilly Turner 8 aces, 5 assists, 45 digs
Jane Wilson 34 kills, 10 blocks, 2 digs
Paris Buckner 30 kills, 10 blocks
Lexie Laurendine 16 kills, 3 blocks, 7 digs
Denver Rogers 10 aces, 1 assist, 29 digs
Laura Kate May 7 aces, 3 assists, 9 digs
Elizabeth Case 2 aces, 4 digs
Kelsey Holden 1 ace, 3 digs
Sarah Barker 3 kills
Abby McNamara 3 digs
Zoe Ubamadu 2 kills

Baylor Scores
Halls (25-12, 25-10)
Portland (25-14, 25-17)
Riverdale (25-17, 25-11)
Kings Academy (25-8, 25-8)
CAK (25-12, 25-11) 
Brentwood (25-14, 25-19)
Farragut (25-17, 25-20)
Blessed Trinity (25-20, 25-27, 15-13)
Brentwood (25-19, 25-19)

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