Baylor Volleyball Dominates Saint Mary's in Straight-Set Victory!

WACO, Texas – The No. 20 Baylor Bears volleyball team showcased their dominance on Friday night, sweeping Saint Mary's in three sets (25-10, 25-11, 25-17) at the Ferrell Center. The Bears' impressive performance moved their season record to 4-1.

A Dominant Start

Baylor set the tone early, crushing Saint Mary's in the first set with a commanding 25-10 victory. A remarkable 14-0 run propelled the Bears to their third consecutive opening-set win. The Gaels' meager 10 points were the fewest allowed by Baylor in a set since last season.

Maintaining the Momentum

Unlike previous matches, Baylor maintained their intensity in the second set, securing a decisive 25-11 victory. Head coach Ryan McGuyre expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, particularly after recent struggles in the second set. "It was huge," McGuyre said. "We played through it there. I thought our girls served extremely well throughout the night... and then the blockers did their job." He also praised the setters, Harley Kreck and Bri Denney, for facilitating an impressive .398 hitting percentage.

Closing it Out

After outscoring Saint Mary's 50-21 in the first two sets, Baylor cruised to a 25-17 victory in the third to seal the sweep.

Key Stats and Performances

Baylor's .398 hitting percentage was a season-high and their best since November 30, 2023. The Bears also recorded 11 blocks, the most since their season opener. Brielle Warren, Grace Carroll, MJ McCurdy, and Manuela Bibinbe each contributed six kills, while Harley Kreck led the team with 14 assists. Kreck was also perfect from the service line, connecting on all 17 attempts.

Coach's Reaction

McGuyre was pleased with the team's dominant performance, especially following a challenging five-set match the previous night. The Gaels (1-4) showed improvement throughout the match, but ultimately couldn't overcome the Bears' strong play. Saint Mary's was led by Clarissa Klein and Genevieve Bane in the first set.