B-G takes down Bishop Grimes 3-0 for 2nd straight year

TIOGA – In 2017, the Bainbridge-Guilford girls’ volleyball team lost just one match all season on their way to the first state title in program’s history. Now, after defeating Section III Bishop Grimes Cobras in three straight games on Saturday afternoon, the Bobcats are headed back to Glens Falls to defend their championship.

B-G hasn’t lost a game in match play all season. The few they were defeated in were in tournaments and to larger opponents.

The Bobcats jumped out to an early 16-8 lead, something the team has done in most if not all of their sets this season, before Bishop Grimes took their first timeout. Allowing the opposing team to score one more point in the game, B-G closed out set one with a final of 25-9.

Bainbridge-Guilford’s Erica Selfridge led the team in set one, recording eight kills while the team’s leading passer Abi Selfridge dished out 11 assists.

Once again pouncing on Bishop Grimes early in the set, the Bobcats held a 12-3 advantage before the Cobras called a timeout in the second. With the nine point lead, the two teams exchanged points back and forth during game two but the Bobcats were able to close the set out, holding a two game edge over Bishop Grimes.

The points scored by the Cobras often came from a missed serve or a mishap by B-G as the defending champions had 21 unforced errors throughout the match. Very few times, Bishop Grimes was able to complete a pass and kill setup as the Bobcats defense was ready for the return. However, the Cobras did sneak a few points in their put-away attempts.

In the final set of the match, Bishop Grimes kept the game close. Separated by just six points, the Cobras head coach Mary Ansbrow took a timeout to rally her team. Following the break, the Bobcats took a 18-12 lead and turned the third set battle it into a 25-18 game three win.

“Saturday’s regional game against bishop grimes was so much fun to coach,” said B-G head coach Tami Selfridge. “It’s always been our plan to peak at this point in the season but before Saturday, I wasn’t sure that was going to happen. In Tioga for the regional game, a lot of things went right and it felt great.”

Erica Selfridge closed out the match with 12 kills to lead the Bainbridge-Guilford in the stat column. She added three aces and seven assists while sister Abi ended the day with 15 assists, five aces and five kills.