Box Score BALDWIN CITY, Kan.  The Bluejays were looking for a quick start to the 2023 season and that's just what they got on Tuesday when the faced off against the Wildcats of Baker University.  Tabor beat Baker for the second consecutive time dating back to last year.  The Lady Bluejays walked away with a clean, three-set win, 25-22, 25-21 and 25-16.

Tabor started quick, building a 4-0 lead before Baker could get on the board.  After the teams battled back and forth, the Wildcats took their only lead of the first set at 6-5.  The Bluejays knotted the set at six all before a kill by Fiona Sampaio put Tabor back on top for good.  Tabor's biggest lead of the opening set (15-7) came on a Juliana Alaniz service ace.

Baker wouldn't go away quietly, cutting Tabor's lead to just two points at 18-16.  Tabor pushed the lead back to five (24-19), before holding of for the 25-22 first set victory.

Set two started like the first as Tabor scored first.  The Bluejays could only get out to a 2-0 lead this set, as Baker buckled down and grabbed a 4-2 lead.  The Wildcats' last lead of the set came when they were up 8-7 on one of the few errors the Bluejays committed on the night.  Tabor won six of the next seven points to take a 13-9 advantage midway through the second frame.

Tabor saw Baker crawl back to trail by just one point (15-14) before the Bluejays rattled off four straight, holding the Wildcats at bay.  The teams played within a few points of each other until Tabor salted away the second set by a final score of 25-21.  The final few points of the set saw all-KCAC setter Emma Rhodes perfectly put the ball in place for kills by Sammie Saunders and Brindelyn Schneider.

Set three had a different beginning as Baker struck first.  The Bluejays would respond quickly on a Sampaio kill to tie the set at one apiece.  Tabor built a 7-2 lead behind the serving of Sampaio.  The Wildcats would only get as close as two points (8-6), as Tabor built a double digit lead (24-13) while Alaniz served three straight points for the visiting Bluejays.

Tabor ended Baker's night when the duo of Rhodes to Schneider connected once again for a kill, giving Tabor the 25-16 third set win, and the sweep for the Bluejays.

Tabor made Baker work for every single point and it showed, especially in the third set.  The Bluejays ran down just about every single ball the Wildcats threw their way, extending the point on a regular basis.  Tabor made the most of their opportunities at the net, whether it was attacking or blocking the Wildcats.

Head Coach Casey Quiggle liked what he saw.  "I am proud of the ladies" replied Quiggle.  "They went out and played with heart and determination.  We've been preparing well since the first day of fall camp.  There has been great energy and enthusiasm and the ladies were ready to show all of the hard work they've been putting in."

Quiggs continued; "We have a lot more offensive options, are much improved in blocking and have a stellar defense.  We can play at a high level."

The Bluejays will look to build on the opening match victory when they travel to Marshall, Missouri for the Missouri Valley Tournament this weekend.  Tabor will face Graceland University on Friday at 7:00 pm in the opener, battle Clarke University at 9:00 am on Saturday before taking on the host school Missouri Valley at 11:00 am to wrap up the weekend.