Box Score FORT WORTH – The Wayland Baptist volleyball team didn't let a quick trip to the Metroplex bother them as they defeated Texas Wesleyan University here Thursday, 25-19, 19-25, 27-25, 25-20.
After falling to Texas-Permian Basin on Wednesday night in Plainview, the Pioneers (11-12) turned around and overcame the Lady Rams (16-9), who had won their previous three matches.
"As lackluster as we were last night, we stepped it up and played well, especially considering how far we drove and had to overcome our road legs," WBU coach
Jim Giacomazzi said.
After splitting the first two matches, Wayland fought off several set points in the third game before putting it away and stealing away the momentum.
"That took the wind out of their sails a little bit," Giacomazzi said. "We were able to jump out to a bit of a lead (in the fourth set)."
Grecia Rivera led the Pioneers with 14 kills and a .300 hitting percentage, followed by
Tania Gomez and
Shahala Hawkins with 10 each.
Chelsey Driskill added nine.
The Pioneers ended with 102 digs, led by Rivera with 27,
Jaharys Archilla with 23 and
Emily Welch with 20. Tasha Giacomazzi, after sitting out most of the first two sets due to illness, bounced back and managed to record 27 assists.
"She was white as a ghost," Coach Giacomazzi said of his daughter.
Welch, who had nine assists, and Rivera filled in for Tasha at setter the first two sets.
Hawkins ended with three solo blocks and three block assists while Gomez and Driskill got three assists apiece. Hawkins posted a pair of aces.
Texas Wesleyan, a member of the Red River Athletic Conference, is set to join the Sooner Athletic Conference next season.
Wayland continues non-conference play with a match Saturday in Austin against Huston-Tillotson at 1 p.m. The Pioneers return to SAC action Oct. 16 against Lubbock Christian.
