Baylor Classic Game Notes

By John Shellenberger
Baylor Bear Foundation

Coming off an eight-match road swing that ended with three straight sweeps, the Baylor volleyball team (7-4) will host the Baylor Classic on Friday and Saturday at the Ferrell Center, facing Virginia (3-6), College of Charleston (6-3) and Washington State (8-1).

Junior outside hitter Katie Staiger earned all-tournament and Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors, recording 66 kills in three matches at last weekend's Seminole Classic.

"It is exciting to be recognized like that," she said. "But for me, it's more exciting that it came after a few good wins. And we're hoping to take that momentum into this next week and then into conference."

Staiger continued to stack up solid numbers in a midweek sweep at LSU, notching 10 kills in the first set.

"Its always fun to win on the road against a good SEC team, and especially to win in three (sets)- I think gives us some momentum for this home tournament." Said Staiger.

Camryn Freiberg also played well against LSU as she matched a career-high seven blocks, six block assists and a solo.

Coach Ryan McGuyre said he liked what he saw from his team during the Florida tournament and at LSU. McGuyre believes the team is beginning to hit its stride despite some early-season injuries.

"Were just now coming into a rhythm... we had a little bit of a slow start with the injuries, not just Shelly Fanning and Tola Itiola, but also the ones who couldn't be with us the first couple of weeks."

Three weeks into the season, McGuyre said there have been serious talks about redshirting Fanning and Itiola,, though no final decision has been made.

"Having those two this year would help us," said McGuyre, "but having those two in the future with some of the other athletes that get to return would be exciting as well. "

With matches against physical teams like Kansas and Texas looming in the near future, the Bears will be working to stay in that rhythm they've created while using the teams in the Baylor Classic to prep for conference play.

"Washington State is very physical, they bring some size," McGuyre said. "Virginia brings experience by being in a good conference, and then College of Charleston has a winning attitude. I think each match will be a little bit different. With the teams we're playing this weekend, I think you see a little bit of everything."

Despite winning four of the last five matches, McGuyre knows the team still has areas to improve on going into Big 12 play.

"We've got to continue to get better everyday. We need to manage our swings so we can attack with ferociousness or intelligence, not mindlessness"

The Bears will first face Virginia (3-6) at 6 p.m. Friday, followed by the College of Charleston (6-3) and Washington State (8-1) on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.

WACO, Texas - Baylor volleyball (7-4) hosts its second tournament of the season and the fourth and final tournament of the regular season, starting play in the 2016 Baylor Classic on Friday, Sept. 16 vs. Virginia (3-6) at 6 p.m. in the Ferrell Center.

The Bears will play the College of Charleston Cougars (6-3) on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 11 a.m. before closing out the tournament that evening at 7 p.m. with the Washington State Cougars (8-1).

The all-time series with College of Charleston is even at 1-1, with the Bears taking the most recent meeting in 2011. WSU won the only prior meeting between the two squads back in 1993, while BU and UVA have never met on the volleyball court.

Fans can listen to Baylor's internet radio stream on this and all other Baylor road trips at BaylorBears.com/allaccess.

Keep up with the team all season long by following Baylor Volleyball's official accounts on Twitter (@BaylorVball), Facebook (Baylor Volleyball), Instagram (@BaylorVolleyball), and Snapchat (@BaylorVball).

MATCH INFO:
2016 Baylor Classic
Ferrell Center (6,000)
Waco, Texas
Sep. 16-17, 2016
Audio: BaylorBears.com (Paid)
Live Video: BaylorBears.com (Paid)
Live Stats: BaylorBears.com

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 16
Washington State vs. Charleston 4 p.m.
Baylor vs. Virginia 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 17
Baylor vs. Charleston 11 a.m.
Virginia vs. Washington State 1 p.m.
Charleston vs. Virginia 5 p.m.
Baylor vs. Washington State 7 p.m.

BAYLOR BEARS
2015 Record: 17-13
2016 Record: 7-4
Head Coach: Ryan McGuyre (2nd season)

VIRGINIA CAVALIERS
2015 Record: 18-13
2016 Record: 3-6
Head Coach: Dennis Hohenshelt (5th season)
All-Time Series: Never met

COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON COUGARS
2015 Record: 20-13
2016 Record: 6-3
Head Coach: Jason Kepner (10th season)
All-Time Series: Tied, 1-1

(RV) WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS
2015 Record: 16-16
2016 Record: 8-1
Head Coach: Jen Greeny (6th season)
All-Time Series: WSU, 1-0

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