“They love it,” Baker head coach Chelsea Medley said. “It brings them all together. It’s something worth fighting for.”
And no one wants to be part of the team that doesn’t keep the streak of district titles rolling. Baker is at 22 and counting.
This year’s edition of Baker welcomes back of a handful of key returning players, including Annalese Saunders, who ranked third on the team in kills (143) and racked up 155 digs. Carleigh Krumnow is also back after leading the team in digs (293) a year ago.
Those two are seniors, as is Kat Price, who tallied 92 kills, 33 blocks and 78 digs.
Medley said she likes the way this team has come together leading up to the start of the year.
“I feel really good about this team,” Medley said. “Great teammates make great teams, and these girls are all in it for each other. They are willing to battle for each other.”
One thing Medley has noticed about this team is the way it plays on the court. The Gators won’t make anything easy for opponents.
“They are very scrappy, and that’s always been something for Baker,” Medley said. “We’re going to have the intense heart and hustle that you need to win in big games.”
Baker went 11-13 last season, though the record is a deceiving as the Gators, who play in the Rural classification, don’t back down from playing against bigger schools. That won’t change this season.
“The competition is only going to make you better,” Medley said.
Baker is scheduled to open its season Aug. 21 against Destin.
“We are excited,” Medley said. “We’ve been pumped up since July. We are ready to go.”
