The Baker dance team traveled to Benedictine College to compete in this year’s Heart of America Athletic Conference competition Saturday.

Head coach Lynsey Payne said the team had an impressive performance, but the women were unable to clench a spot in the top three.

“We didn’t place but I think the (women) were all pleased with how we did perform,” Payne said. “I was pleased with how they performed, and we had some alumni and friends and family that were out and they were all impressed with the performance as well.”

The team started learning its routine for the competition last semester.

Payne said the team practiced four days a week and even attended a dance festival to gain valuable experience before the conference competition.

“It’s a lot different performing in front of an audience than performing for me every day,” Payne said. “At the festival, the judges gave us a critique, so we were able to take those critiques and go back and make adjustments to what those judges had said.”

Despite the preparation, the Baker dance team fell short at the HAAC competition. Sophomore Alex Hess said the squad faced a lot of good teams and enjoyed the chance to compete with other conference dance teams.

“It was upsetting because we worked really hard, but we all knew that we did well and there were a lot of good teams there, so it was fun to get to see all the other teams perform,” Hess said.

Co-captain Laura Paul said she was happy with the team’s performance and placement should not overshadow the team’s hard work.

“I think we were all just really happy with our performance, so not placing didn’t really get to us too much,” Paul said. “I think we all thought we did a really good job.”

The team will not be attending nationals this year, but its season is not over.

The women will host a children’s clinic and will perform Saturday during the Baker women’s basketball game.

The team then will perform its hip-hop routine on senior day, which will be hosted Feb. 28.

“After that we will just work on technique and fitness for the duration of the year,” Payne said. “Then we have tryouts March 7.”