This article was originally published prior to June 2, 2013. Due to a change in the content management systems, the initial publication date in not available. 

A disappointing Tuesday evening sent the Baker University volleyball team home empty handed.

The ‘Cats lost their second test in conference play three sets to zero against MidAmerica Nazarene University on the road.

Although all three sets were lost by just two points apiece (25-27, 23-25, 24-26), head coach Kathy Allen said the team beat itself.

“Not only should we have won, but we should’ve won in three,” Allen said.

Allen attributed some of the team’s inconsistent play to the youth and inexperience that the ‘Cats are utilizing. She said the latest struggle is to find a consistent lineup with the right mixture of players. When the team can find the right combination, Allen said she will be hopeful for this season’s future.

“I absolutely believe that this team is not even close to where they’re going to be,” she said. “We have the talent, we just don’t have the right mix. We’re going to keep on experimenting with different positions and substitutions and find a lineup that works for everything.”

Sophomore Brooke Pryor said the team struggled to finish the sets when they had control of the lead.

“It’s one of our biggest down falls,” Pryor said. “When things are going well, we get complacent; and when we get to the higher numbers of points, we don’t have that drive to push through.”

Despite a disappointing team showing, junior Nikki Anderson had a breakout performance that highlighted the evening. Anderson was dominant on the net as she collected four of the team’s six total blocks and slammed down seven kills.

“Nikki was a rock star,” Allen said. “What was amazing was how hard she was working to close every block. She got her hands on a ton of balls and was really doing good things with the ball when our setter got it to her.”

Anderson said knowing that the match was a conference contest was motivation for her to perform at her highest.

“I feel like Brooke Allen did a fabulous job of feeding me the ball,” Anderson said. “I think just with all the help from (coach Matthew) Windle specifically on blocking has really been helping a lot.”

Senior Jayde Allen collected 22 digs to lead the team on the defensive end as senior Alexis Pryor added eight kills to lead all hitters. Brooke Pryor said in order to bounce back from the match, the team must take in the mistakes and work on them in a practice setting.

“We’re going to try and work on our team chemistry and figure out what we can do to help each other while we’re out there,” she said.

The team will have several opportunities to bounce back as it travels back to Olathe Friday and Saturday to compete in the MidAmerica Nazarene University Invitational. The ‘Cats will play two games each day and then return to their home floor Tuesday to compete in another conference matchup against Avila University.