The last time the Wayland Baptist volleyball team played at home it was back on August 27 when they defeated the University of the Southwest in three straight sets. On Tuesday evening, the Pioneers and Lady Mustangs met once again and the outcome was much the same, with the WBU netters coming out on top in three, 25-13, 25-19, 25-15.
Wayland was down early to the visitors from Hobbs, N.M., but blew the first set open with nine straight points to go up 19-9, and then scored the final six for the 12-point victory.
WBU never trailed in the second. Ashley Duff had four of her match-high ten kills in the set.
The final set went much the same way as the first. The Lady Mustangs grabbed an early lead only to see it vanish with a 9-0 Pioneer run that made it 15-8. WBU got a kill by sophomore Catherine Hager and two by Duff in the run. Sophomore setter Natasha Giacomazzi then nailed down four straight service aces to end the match.
WBU had its fewest kills in a win this season, 29, but added 11 aces and six team blocks. Duff was the only Pioneer to reach double figures in kills with 10. The freshman who was named Sooner Athletic Conference Hitter of the Week last week had just two errors in the match and an attack percentage of .400. She also added three aces and three blocks.
Seniors Kate Trejos and Tatiana Gonzalez had 12 digs each for the Pioneers. Giacomazzi was the assist leader with 12. Freshman Heather Choat added 11.
The 11-4 Wayland netters take their four-match win streak back on the road this weekend with Sooner Athletic Conference contests against Mid-America Christian on Friday evening and John Brown on Saturday afternoon.
