The Basics
Score: MNU 2 - Baker 3
Record: MNU (4-4, 0-1), Baker (11-1, 1-0)
Location: Collins Center - Baldwin City, Kan.

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – MNU pushed Baker to five sets in the Heart opener on Friday night, but the Pioneers were unable to finish off the Wildcats in a 23-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20, 8-15 loss.

The opening set was tight throughout. MNU trailed 17-13 before kills from Kyla Brandes, Kennedy Smalley and Dominika Bartosz helped the Pioneers pull even at 21. Mia Olson tied it again at 22, and Talia Jost answered at 23-23, but Baker scored the final two points to take the opener 25-23.

MNU responded emphatically in the second, scoring the first six points behind three kills from Bartosz and two from Smalley. The Pioneers eventually stretched the advantage to 13-3 and never allowed Baker closer than five the rest of the way. Pola Madziewicz put MNU at set point before Bartosz finished the 25-19 victory.

Baker built a 12-6 lead in the third, but MNU steadily fought its way back. The Pioneers pulled within 20-19 on a Bartosz kill and later fought off two set points with consecutive kills from Olson and Laura Carbonell to make it 24-23. Baker answered on the next rally to escape with the 25-23 win and take a 2-1 match lead.

Facing elimination, MNU came out firing in the fourth. The Pioneers turned a 2-2 tie into an 8-2 advantage behind kills from Smalley and Bartosz, consecutive blocks from Olson and Smalley, and an Emily Mathis ace. Baker eventually cut the margin to 12-10, but MNU answered and maintained control the rest of the way. Jost put the Pioneers at set point, and Smalley finished the 25-20 win to force a fifth.

The deciding set was tied six times early, including 7-7. Baker then took control with three straight points for a 10-7 lead. Olson stopped the run with a kill, but the Wildcats scored the final five points of the match to take the fifth 15-8.

MNU finished with a 59-52 advantage in kills and an 88-75 edge in digs, but 37 attack errors proved costly. The Pioneers hit .116 for the match compared to .126 for Baker.

Mia Olson led MNU with 15 kills while hitting .333 and added five blocks. Smalley finished with 14 kills and four block assists, while Bartosz added 12 kills and 16 digs. Madziewicz recorded eight kills, and Jost finished with four kills and a match-high six blocks. Macie Metcalf had 26 assists and Callie Winebarger added 21. Mathis anchored the defense with a match-high 39 digs and two aces.

Turning Point
In the fifth set, Baker scored three straight to take a 10-7 advantage.

Individual Leaders
Mia Olson: 15 kills, .333 hitting, 5 blocks
Kennedy Smalley: 14 kills, 4 blocks
Dominika Bartosz: 12 kills, 16 digs
Talia Jost: 4 kills, 6 blocks
Macie Metcalf: 26 assists, 7 digs
Callie Winebarger: 21 assists
Emily Mathis: 39 digs, 2 aces
Nayeli Rodriguez: 14 digs

Up Next
The next match Saturday at Benedictine at 11:00.