Volleyball Hosts Baylor Invitational
9/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 3, 2015
2015 Baylor Volleyball Preview
By Cody Soto for Baylor Bear Insider
Head coach Ryan McGuyre and the 2015 Baylor volleyball squad have prepared a long time for this weekend. Not only is Friday's 4 p.m. match against Sam Houston State the home opener for the Bears, but it is also the debut of a new era for Baylor volleyball.
"It will be a very exciting series to show (the crowd) what Baylor volleyball is about and what we represent," junior setter Morgan Reed said.
The Bears head into the Hampton Inn Waco North Baylor Invitational at the Ferrell Center this weekend with a 2-1 record, their only loss coming to 12th-ranked Colorado State at last week's tournament in Fort Collins, Colo. While the sets were close, a .102 hitting effort and 26 attack errors kept the Bears from upsetting the Rams last Friday.
"Offensively, we can be a lot stronger, a lot better," McGuyre said. "We did some good things defensively. We had some sets where we made some great blocks. The foundation is there. I liked how we fought and battled in every single match."
Despite the season-opening loss, Baylor picked up its first win of the McGuyre era last Saturday, shaking off a first-set loss to ultimately win the match over Northern Iowa in five sets.
"That first win is a testament to how slowly we've been giving up our old ways and trusting in what (McGuyre's) brought into the program," senior setter Amy Rosenbaum said. "It was a foreshadowing to what's going to happen throughout this season if we trust his expertise in this sport."
The Bears then defeated UC Davis in five sets to finish the tournament in second place. Outside hitters Andie Malloy and Katie Staiger were named all-tournament for contributing 40 and 39 kills, respectively.
Those two matches are moments he and his players will cherish for a long time, McGuyre said.
"It's special because I have a special team," he said. "Lord willing, there will be a lot of victories here at Baylor, but there's never going to be a first one. To celebrate it with this team makes it special."
Baylor opens the tournament with a match against in-state opponent Sam Houston State. Under the direction of 31st-year head coach Brenda Gay, the Bearkats are 3-1 after their season-opening tournament in Houston last week. Sam Houston State's only loss came at the hands of reigning Conference USA champion UTSA in a five-set thriller.
If the Bears want to be more efficient this weekend, it all starts on the first touch, Rosenbaum said.
"We've been really focusing on being tougher at the service line," she said. "I think that will take our game to the next level."
Saturday's schedule has Baylor facing Coppin State (0-3) at 10 a.m. and Cal Poly at 7 p.m.
"I'm looking forward to playing at home," McGuyre said. "The girls have practiced hard and learned a lot of things we can improve on from last weekend, so we're looking forward to it. We're still a very young , but we're going to get better every week."
 SAM HOUSTON STATE BEARKATS2015 Record: 3-1 Head Coach: Brenda Gray (31st Season) | Friday, Sept. 4 vs. Sam Houston State, 4 p.m. Ferrell Center (Waco, Texas) Video: BaylorBears.com/AllAccess Stats: GameTracker Audio: BaylorBears.com/AllAccess |
 COPPIN STATE EAGLES2015 Record: 0-3 Head Coach: Kyetta May (1st season) | Saturday, Sept. 5 vs. Coppin State, 10 a.m. Ferrell Center (Waco, Texas) Video: BaylorBears.com/AllAccess Stats: GameTracker Audio: BaylorBears.com/AllAccess |
 CAL POLY MUSTANGS2015 Record: 3-0 Head Coach: Sam Crosson (4th season) | Saturday, Sept. 5 vs. Cal Poly, 7 p.m. Ferrell Center (Waco, Texas) Video: BaylorBears.com/AllAccess Stats: GameTracker Audio: BaylorBears.com/AllAccess |
Baylor Invitational Notes 
Baylor Invitational Tournament Central WACO, Texas - Baylor volleyball (2-1) hosts the Hampton Inn Waco North Baylor Invitational this weekend, marking the first chance BU fans will have to watch the team in Waco under new head coach Ryan McGuyre.
Following a second-place finish at last weekend's Rams Volleyball Classic, the Bears return home to play three games in two days. Baylor opens against Sam Houston State at 4 p.m. CT Friday. The Bears then play two games on Saturday, taking on Coppin State at 10 a.m. and Cal Poly at 7 p.m.
All three Baylor games will be broadcast with live video through BaylorBears.com/AllAccess. All six tournament matches, including the three games that don't feature Baylor, will have live stats through GameTracker. Baylor fans can follow action all season long on twitter by following @BaylorVball.
2015 Baylor Volleyball Preview
By Cody Soto for Baylor Bear Insider
Head coach Ryan McGuyre and the 2015 Baylor volleyball squad have prepared a long time for this weekend. Not only is Friday's 4 p.m. match against Sam Houston State the home opener for the Bears, but it is also the debut of a new era for Baylor volleyball.
"It will be a very exciting series to show (the crowd) what Baylor volleyball is about and what we represent," junior setter Morgan Reed said.
The Bears head into the Hampton Inn Waco North Baylor Invitational at the Ferrell Center this weekend with a 2-1 record, their only loss coming to 12th-ranked Colorado State at last week's tournament in Fort Collins, Colo. While the sets were close, a .102 hitting effort and 26 attack errors kept the Bears from upsetting the Rams last Friday.
"Offensively, we can be a lot stronger, a lot better," McGuyre said. "We did some good things defensively. We had some sets where we made some great blocks. The foundation is there. I liked how we fought and battled in every single match."
Despite the season-opening loss, Baylor picked up its first win of the McGuyre era last Saturday, shaking off a first-set loss to ultimately win the match over Northern Iowa in five sets.
"That first win is a testament to how slowly we've been giving up our old ways and trusting in what (McGuyre's) brought into the program," senior setter Amy Rosenbaum said. "It was a foreshadowing to what's going to happen throughout this season if we trust his expertise in this sport."
The Bears then defeated UC Davis in five sets to finish the tournament in second place. Outside hitters Andie Malloy and Katie Staiger were named all-tournament for contributing 40 and 39 kills, respectively.
Those two matches are moments he and his players will cherish for a long time, McGuyre said.
"It's special because I have a special team," he said. "Lord willing, there will be a lot of victories here at Baylor, but there's never going to be a first one. To celebrate it with this team makes it special."
Baylor opens the tournament with a match against in-state opponent Sam Houston State. Under the direction of 31st-year head coach Brenda Gay, the Bearkats are 3-1 after their season-opening tournament in Houston last week. Sam Houston State's only loss came at the hands of reigning Conference USA champion UTSA in a five-set thriller.
If the Bears want to be more efficient this weekend, it all starts on the first touch, Rosenbaum said.
"We've been really focusing on being tougher at the service line," she said. "I think that will take our game to the next level."
Saturday's schedule has Baylor facing Coppin State (0-3) at 10 a.m. and Cal Poly at 7 p.m.
"I'm looking forward to playing at home," McGuyre said. "The girls have practiced hard and learned a lot of things we can improve on from last weekend, so we're looking forward to it. We're still a very young , but we're going to get better every week."
Players Mentioned
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/ VolleyballWould go to battle with this crew anytime 🫶
Monday, December 08
Hearts stopped. Records fell. Bears won!
Monday, December 08
Elevate ⬆️ and celebrate 🎉
Monday, December 08
💼 Workin' our way to match day
Monday, December 08
