Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 KINGSVILLE – With only one scrimmage under their belts, a very young Wayland Baptist University volleyball team struggled in its first day of play at a two-day tournament hosted by Texas A&M University-Kingsville. In their season-opener, the squad fell in four sets to McMurry University and in three to Schreiner University.
The Pioneers had a tough time even getting to the tournament, suffering a blowout on their bus during the drive down which made for an extra-long trip that was already 600 miles. The Pioneers also played without starting setter and senior
Natasha Giacomazzi in the first match due to injury.
Despite a rocky start, Wayland got things off on a positive note in its first match against McMurry at 11 a.m., taking the first set 25-20. The Pioneers lost their momentum, however, and dropped the next three by scores of 25-15, 25-20 and 25-20.
Tania Gomez recorded a double-double in the contest with 12 kills and 12 digs, while
Chelsey Driskill put up 10 kills on 23 attacks.
In the afternoon, the Pioneers took on Schreiner University and fell in three sets, 25-21, 25-22 and 25-21.
There was no denying his team endured a tough day on the floor, but Pioneers head coach
Jim Giacomazzi said there were some bright points his team could take away from the losses.
"We had six freshmen on the floor several times during these games, so they got some good experience," he said. "
Emily Welch had to step in for Tasha in that first game and I was very pleased with her. She didn't even know she was going to be in that role until late last night."
In the afternoon game,
Natasha Giacomazzi was back on the floor, but the Pioneers coach said the team simply made too many mistakes.
"We were up and down throughout the game and Schreiner had one solid little player that came up with a lot of kills," he said. "Our service reception was poor and we allowed them to get 11 aces. We did some good things out there but it really came down to ball control and the girls' lack of communication."
Wayland hits the court again Saturday to take on the host team at 1 p.m., followed by a 5 p.m. contest against Our Lady of the Lake University. For audio streaming of all Pioneer matches, log onto www.network1sports.com/station/mindseye.
