CORNING – Bainbridge-Guilford took down the Tigers of Tioga 3-0 on Saturday, earning back-to-back Section IV Class D titles. The Bobcats won the three games 25-8, 25-20, and 25-6. 

Both teams returned to the championship game after meeting a year prior. Tioga, the third-seed, pulled off what could be considered an upset to most when they took down top-seeded Candor. Not to the girls of Tioga, who returned a majority of their players from last season like the Bobcats.

After seeing each other on Thursday in Candor, the Tigers looked to switch things up as far as defending B-G’s strong offensive attack. The Bobcats, however, never seemed to be phased by the change as they jumped out to a 5-0 advantage over Tioga. The Tigers’ head coach, Desiree Ford, called an early timeout in attempt to regroup her squad.

Abigail Selfridge, had different plans after the timeout, serving up for eight straight points to continue the strong game one start for the Bobcats. B-G extended their lead over Tioga to 16-4 before closing out the first set with a final of 25-8.

The Tigers came roaring back to start the second game, taking a 6-4 lead of the defending Class D champs. However, the Bobcats clawed back to take a 13-8 lead in the set.

Showing the crowed that they had settled into their rhythm, Tioga kept the game close. At one point, the margin was seven points, in favor of the Bobcats but the Tigers dug in and closed the gap down to five at 22-17.

Needing just three points to close out the second set, B-G closed out the game with a final of 25-20. The Bobcats led 2-0 in the match score at this point and need just one game to secure their second consecutive title.

Like the first game, Bainbridge-Guilford got off to a quick start by take a 7-1 advantage over the Tigers.

B-G went on their second 7-1 run of the set to hold a 14-2 lead in the possible final set of the contest. Ford took a time out once again, hoping to create a stop and rally back.

It unfortunately didn’t work for Tioga as the Bobcats made it 23-6 before putting the match away with a score of 25-6.