Baker Tops Bobcat VB in Close Game
(Peru, Neb.) – While looking to pull off an upset and change their final regular season standings, the Peru State College (PSC) Bobcat volleyball team almost did so on Tuesday night. Taking on the league-leading Baker University Wildcats, the Bobcats fell in Baldwin City, Kan., 26-24, 26-24, 26-24.
With the win, Baker became the undefeated regular season champions of the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) with a perfect 9-0 league mark. Overall, the Wildcats finished the season 24-10. Peru State finished the regular season with a 4-5 HAAC mark, good for sixth in the conference, and 11-17 overall. Baker did receive ratings points in the latest NAIA poll.
Senior outside hitter
Maddy Lister (North Platte) led the 'Cats with 11 kills on the night and also had one dig. Senior middle blocker
Carly Morehead (Fairbury) added eight kills, three digs, two solo blocks and one block assist. In addition, Morehead tied her season high in service aces as she unloaded five against the Wildcats, matching her effort against Jamestown earlier in the season.
Jessie Clark (Omaha) and
Carrie Lierz (Horton, Kan.) added six and five kills respectively. Lierz contributed six digs while Clark dug up two Wildcat hits.
Amanda Gilreath (Omaha) and
Courtney Jurek (Bellevue) led the setting efforts respectively with 17 and 11 assists. Gilreath also had two service aces and five digs while Jurek had eight digs.
The reigning HAAC Libero of the Week,
Emily Maresh (Central City) had an outstanding 31 digs, her three-set high of the season and only one dig off a season high which came in an earlier five-set game.
Kelsey Monahan (Atkinson) also added eight digs and had the other two service aces for the Bobcats in the close loss.
Game Box Score
HAAC Conference Tournament
With the sixth seed locked up, the Bobcats will travel to Springfield, Mo., on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m., to take on the Evangel University Crusaders. The Crusaders finished third with a 7-2 in the HAAC and 28-5 overall. The game time has yet to be established.
With a win, Peru State would face either Mid-America Nazarene University or Missouri Valley College in the second round of play.
