Box Score
SHAWNEE, Okla. -- The Wayland Baptist volleyball team collected its fifth straight victory here Friday night, sweeping St. Gregory's University in Sooner Athletic Conference action. The Pioneers prevailed, 25-17, 25-22, 25-18.
"We did well in the second half of the first set, most of the second set and the first of the third set," said WBU coach Jim Giacomazzi, whose club improved to 16-13 overall and 10-3 in the SAC. "We wanted to work on some things at the end of the match and I wasn't happy with how that worked out."
"The timing between Tasha and Shahala just wasn't there, and we're going to need better timing tomorrow," Coach Giacomazzi said as he looked forward to Wayland's 1 p.m. contest Saturday against 10th-ranked and SAC leader Oklahoma Baptist in the regular-season finale. The Lady Bison (28-4, 11-0 SAC) were taken to five before prevailing against Lubbock Christian (22-8, 9-2) on Friday, 25-23, 27-25, 17-25, 22-25, 18-16.
"We were hoping LCU would keep (OBU) there all night. They did play a lot of points," Giacomazzi said.
He also was hoping the Lady Chaps would beat OBU, which would have given the Pioneers extra incentive in their match against the Lady Bison. That's because a Wayland win on Saturday could have made LCU the SAC Tournament host and allowed the Pioneers a much easier traveling schedule next weekend. As it stands, OBU -- with its SAC record 28th regular-season conference victory -- will host the league tournament in Shawnee. LCU will be the No. 2 seed followed by Wayland, Oklahoma City, John Brown and St. Greg's, meannig the Pioneers and Lady Cavaliers will meet in the first round.
"It looks like we'll be hitting the road (to Oklahoma Baptist instead of Lubbock Christian) no matter what happens tomorrow," Giacomazzi said.
Against St. Gregory's (12-13, 2-9) on Friday, Wayland was in control most of the way.
In the first set, the score was tied at 10-all before the Pioneers won eight of the next nine points to take control.
WBU appeared to be pulling away in the second set, but the Lady Cavaliers rallied and pulled to within 23-22. The Pioneers were able to secure the next two points, though, to keep their sweep dreams alive.
Wayland stayed doubled up on SGU much of the third set, including 20-10. But the Lady Cavaliers again hung tough and made it a game, although the Pioneers were able to put them away fairly comfortable, 25-18.
"Overall we have some good statistics, but this is usually a statistical match with St. Gregory's," Coach Giacomazzi said. "Chelsey and Claire (Jacobsma) had a good blocking night, we just need to do a better job of setting our block up. Our serving was OK."
On Saturday, Wayland will try to prevent OBU from securing a second straight unblemished SAC season.
"We'll see what happens," said Giacomazzi, adding that he's glad to see his team peaking at the right time.
"I'm happy to see where we are right now," he said.
