The Baker University volleyball team advanced to the Heart of America Athletic Conference tournament semifinals Saturday after sweeping Peru State College 25-16, 27-25 and 25-15.

The Wildcats’ defense was on display during the opening round of the conference tournament as they posted eight team blocks and held the Bobcats to a .195 hitting percentage.

“Peru State has improved a lot,” head coach Kathy Allen said. “Even though we won in three (sets tonight,) last time we lost a set to them. They actually played us better tonight than the last time we played.”

The back row also delivered for the Wildcats, as senior libero Renata Dill came through with 22 digs.

“I call it and go for it,” Dill said. “That’s the role that Kathy gave me.”

Offensively, the Wildcats tallied 50 team kills. Senior outside hitter Jasmyn Turner had a team-high 16 kills and fellow senior Crystal Simon followed with nine.

The Wildcats are scheduled to face No. 2 seed Evangel University at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Springfield, Mo. During their regular-season contest, the Crusaders swept BU 25-17, 25-18 and 25-14 in Collins Center. Evangel held Baker to a .053 hitting percentage in the match, as its defense delivered 74 digs and 12 blocks.

“One of the things that keeps this team working is their chemistry and not getting down on themselves,” Allen said. “They enjoy each other, they enjoy the game, like playing together and they really do work well as a team.”