Nov. 1, 2006

Box Score

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Baylor fought off three game points in game three to rally to a 2-1 lead in the match, then carried over the momentum to cruise past Texas A&M in game four in a 3-1 (30-24, 27-30, 34-32, 30-16) victory in Big 12 volleyball action Wednesday night at G. Rollie White Coliseum.

"In the huddle (between games three and four) I told them that they won that game with their hearts," head coach Jim Barnes said. "We were able to carry that over and really played great defense to come away with the win."

Redshirt freshman Kelsey Smith (Lubbock, Texas) led the Bears (15-10, 4-9 Big 12) with a career-high 14 kills as five players recorded double-figure kills for the second straight match. Senior right-side hitter Nicole LeBlanc (Tampa, Fla.) posted her 15th double-double of the season with 12 kills and 14 digs, while senior middle blocker Desiree Guilliard-Young (Berkeley, Calif.) had 12 kills and eight blocks. Freshman outside hitter Katie Sanders (Katy, Texas) had 11 kills, while freshman middle blocker Anna Breyfogle (Buda, Texas) added 10 kills and six blocks.

"It has been the greatest feeling (coming back from her knee injury) to get out there and help my team out," Smith said. "I had a rough start (to the season), but I stayed patient and I have had great teammates to help me out."

Freshman setter Taylor Barnes (Arlington, Texas) had another solid all-around effort with six kills, 47 assists, six digs, five aces and five blocks. Three of her five aces came during the Bears' 10-point run in game four, which effectively put away the match. Junior libero Kristen Schramek (San Antonio, Texas) led the Bears with 25 digs.

Texas A&M (10-12, 3-11) was led by Mary Batis, who had 18 kills and 11 digs. Christi Hahn added 14 kills and Lindsey Yon had 11 kills and 14 digs.

Baylor jumped out to a 17-12 lead in game one, but Texas A&M bounced back to within one at 17-16. The Bears then used a four-point run to push the lead to 25-18 and closed out the game, 30-24. In the game, the Bears hit .297, while holding the Aggies to .143.

The Aggies got an early lead in game two as they led the Bears 9-5, with key kills from Batis. But the Bears were quick to respond scoring four straight points to close the gap. A&M jumped back ahead 14-10, but a combination of teamwork and defense that brought Baylor back from a four-point deficit to tie the game 14-14. Nearing the end of the game, A&M held a 29-27 lead over Baylor and put it away with a service ace from Kelly to tie the match 1-1.

The Bears came out strong in Game three with an early 5-4 lead, and continued to hold strong with kills from Smith and LeBlanc. The Aggies rebounded to score three straight points to tie the game 12-12. Late in the game, the Aggies had a four-point run to lead the Bears 22-18, and continued to play hard against the Bears with kills from Kelsey Bryant and Yon. The Aggies had game point at 29-26, but the Bears fought hard to keep the game going, scoring three straight points to tie the game 29-29. Baylor continued to fight gaining a 31-30 lead on the Aggies. The game continued to go back and forth, but it was a hitting error Yon that cost the Aggies late and the Bears went on to win 34-32 to take a 2-1 lead.

The Bears scored quickly in game four to gain a quick lead 10-5. Barnes hit a hot streak when she served 10 straight points as Baylor jumped out to a 20-7 lead. The Bears remained hot throughout the game, hitting .500 for the game to put it away, 30-16.

Baylor hit .282 for the match and outblocked Texas A&M, 15.0-3.0. The Aggies outdug the Bears, 75-71, but the Bears had 10 aces compared to the Aggies' seven.

The win was the first Big 12 road victory for the Bears this season and was only the third win in College Station in program history, but the second in the last two years.

The Bears return home to host No. 8 Texas on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Ferrell Center.