The Ida Baker Bulldogs constantly rotated players in and out of the lineup during a volleyball match at Cape Coral Tuesday night. The intensity and production never dropped.

The superior depth and talent were key components in the Bulldogs’ 25-16, 25-11, 25-11 win over the Seahawks.

“Whenever a sub is called upon, they’re always ready to go in,” said Baker coach Jessicah Bullock. “When they went in, they didn’t bring down the team, they picked it up, and that’s what they’re asked to do.”

Though the Bulldogs (3-1) got contributions from several players, there was no understating the all-around performances from juniors Chelsea Shafer (5-foot-8) and Taylor Van Horn (5-10).

There were times when Shafer’s power was too much for the Seahawks to handle, and both Shafer and Van Horn made an impact seemingly wherever they lined up. Shafer tallied seven kills and eight aces and Van Horn had seven kills.

“I call them my utility players,” Bullock said. “Whatever they’re asked to do, they’re always like ‘yeah coach I’ll do it.’ “

The Seahawks (1-3) were playing their second match in as many nights. Sophomore Jessica Bradman had three blocks and one kill. Sophomore Cassie Maselter finished with three kills and sophomore Jenn Le tallied three kills and four assists.

In game one, it was the combination of senior Caitlin Holloway and Shafer that sparked the Bulldogs to an 8-1 lead. Shafer served six straight points and Holloway was the go-to player, scoring three points at the net.

The Seahawks trimmed the lead to 8-4 when Maselter and Le scored consecutive points, but Baker managed to stretch the lead to 19-8.

After the Seahawks rallied once more behind the serving of Shelby Rowe, Baker closed it out. Junior Taryn Maymon finished it with a kill.

The Bulldogs maintained a high level of play in games two and three.

“Everyone brought a good attitude and we stayed up,” Van Horn said. “The intensity stayed up.”

In game two, Shafer started the Bulldogs off with a kill and ace and scored the final two points of game.

The teams traded the first four points. After Bradman scored for Cape, Baker’s Kali Nordquist delivered a blast that put the Bulldogs ahead 3-2.

Senior Sarah Godsey helped the Bulldogs open a 12-5 lead, serving three of her five aces. Junior Deonnah Findley chipped in with 23 assists.

The Bulldogs, who are coming off their first winning season, improved to 2-0 in District 5A-15 play, but have a difficult match Thursday at Gulf Coast.

The Seahawks also return to action Thursday when they host Barron Collier.



Mariner 3, Lehigh 0: The Tritons bounced back from a loss to Cypress Lake with a dominating win over Lehigh, 25-13, 25-14, 25-13.

Senior outside hitter Courtney Anderson powered the attack with six kills. Senior Tara Christie continued her stellar play with five kills.

Mariner (2-2) plays at Fort Myers Thursday.



Gulf Coast 3, North Fort Myers 0: The Red Knights improved as the match went on but lost to Gulf Coast, 25-7, 25-12, 25-20.

Senior libero Alyssa Dougherty had 12 digs for the Red Knights. Senior Kayla Ramey added nine digs.

They also received solid contributions from senior Denasia Smith (four blocks) and freshman Susan McKeever (six digs).

The Red Knights host Lehigh Thursday.



Golf



Rained out: All of the boys’ and girls’ golf matches scheduled for Tuesday were postponed by fast moving rainshowers that moved through Southwest Florida in the afternoon.

The storms were associated with Hurricane Ike, which at the time was heading into the Gulf of Mexico after moving off the western tip of Cuba earlier Tuesday. Ike was taking a west northwest track into the Gulf with strengthening likely before making landfall later this week somewhere along the Mexico or Texas coastlines.

Administrators are working to reschedule the missed matches.