Lady Wolverines sweep the Bulldogs in three sets of 25-23

The Lady Wolverines traveled to Baker City, Ore., last week for a non-conference pairing against the Baker Bulldogs.  The Lady Wolverines apparently packed their brooms across the border with them, as they swept the Bulldogs in a very close 3-sets, 25-23, 25-23 and 25-23.
 The Lady Wolverines and the Baker Bulldogs traded points to the 4-3 mark, but the Bulldogs were able to score 4-points in their fourth rotation.  
 Trailing 6-10, the Lady Wolverines pulled ahead with a 5-point scoring run while sophomore, Abi Wilkins, worked from behind the service line.  
 The Wolverines continued to expand on their lead over the Bulldogs and by the time freshman, Paisley Noyer, finished serving, the Wolverines had a 19-15 lead.  
 Despite, the Bulldogs adding a trio of points to their credit, Jasi Yraguen was able to serve up 3-points to counter the surge.  The Bulldogs again capitalized on some scoring opportunities late in the first set, but strong serving from Danica Lockett and Wilkins cinched the set 25-23.
 Once again, the Wolverines and the Bulldogs traded points and side-outs for the majority of the second set, but the Lady Wolverines were unable to pull into the lead until the final points. Trailing 16-18, the Wolverines stepped up their offense and began to chip away at the scoring deficit. With Lockett behind the service line, the Wolverines pulled within 1-point to 18-19, but the Bulldogs regrouped and again took a 21-18 lead over the Wolverines.  
 The Wolverines tied the set at 21 with Wilkins serving, and took their first lead of the set, 24-23, while Mattie Shirts served.  Whitney Cordes capped the set for the Wolverines 25-23.
 Unlike the previous two sets, the Lady Wolverines wasted no time getting a comfortable lead in the third set.  By the time the Lady Wolverines had made it through a mere two rotations with Lockett and Wilkins doing the serving, the Wolverines found themselves leading 6-3.  
 By the end of one complete rotation of the court, the Lady Wolverines had expanded their lead to 16-8.  
 Leading 21-13, the Wolverines began to struggle slightly and although they still managed to pull off the 25-23 set win and the match 3-0, the Lady Wolverines allowed the Bulldogs to inch their way back into the set with a 10-4 scoring run.
 The Lady Wolverines expanded the non-conference record to 3-1 with the win and will begin their conference play against Payette and Homedale this week. The Lady Wolverines will host the visiting Homedale Trojans at the Tom Falash Gymnasium on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021.