ESCANABA, MI – The Bay College Norse (10-9, 3-3 MCCAA) won for the third time this season against Gogebic Community College (3-5) in nonconference action.  This contest was a little less dramatic then the first two, as Bay swept the match 25-20, 25-15, and 25-23.

Back in August these two teams faced off when Bay hosted a triangular.  The first match ended in four sets, with two of them decided by less than five points.  The second match had Bay winning big in the fist set, but Gogebic came back to win the second one 25-22 before the Norse finished off the match by a score of 15-12 in the final set.  The third match did not have the intense, close match feel as those first two did.

This time the Norse spread the wealth offensively in the first set, as five different players ended up with multiple kills (Leah Allan (SO, Oconto, WI) – two, Piper Monroe (FR, Menominee, MI) – two, Olyvia Saxton (FR, Ithaca, MI) – three, Kylee Tadisch (SO, Coleman, WI) – two, and Tianna Taylor (SO, Gwinn, MI) – three).  Long serving runs helped the Norse gain control as Saxton tallied three aces and Tori Jandt (SO, Peshtigo, WI) ended the set with a pair of serves that could not be returned.

Bay put together their best offensive effort in the second set, committing just three attack errors in 30 attempts and picking up 14 kills.  The home team used a run to pull away with a 13-7 lead, and just when it looked as though the Samsons were going to tighten it up, Gogebic was plagued by some unforced errors that allowed the Norse to extend it to a nine-point lead before Gogebic could force a side out.  Bay quickly ended the threat and took the second set by a score of 25-15.

Trying to put the match to bed early, the Norse were forced to play through their most inefficient attack of the night.  They were credited with ten attack errors in the set.  Despite being down four, Bay went on a 9-3 run to go up by a score of 18-12.  The Samsons made a late run to put some pressure on their opponents, but it was not enough to extend the match.

Taylor, who has been hitting well as of late, put up a career-high 11 kills.  She would have just four errors and was good for a .333 hitting percentage.  Monroe also had a good showing with eight kills and three errors in 16 attempts, which gave her a .312 hitting percentage.  Saxton finished with six kills and three aces.

Amber Caylor (SO, Wausaukee, WI) picked up 23 assists in the match.  Jandt finished with 22 digs and three aces.

These two teams matchup one more time as Bay travels to Gogebic on October 21.

Bay will host another nonconference matchup on Saturday.  This time the 12-9 Stormers from Milwaukee Area Tech will be in town.  That match will start at 1 pm.