Box Score SAN ANTONIO – Buoyed by a fan base larger than the home team's, the Wayland Baptist Pioneer volleyball team broke into the win column Sunday afternoon for the first time this season, defeating Our Lady of the Lake University in straight sets.
"We had more fans here than they did, and they (fans) overwhelmed them. It was great," Wayland coach
Jim Giacomazzi said after the Pioneers' 25-18, 25-19, 25-22 victory.
Giacomazzi estimated that some 100 Wayland fans attended the match, plus the 30 or so from WBU's cheer and dance team. Some of the fans and the spirit squad already were in town for Wayland's first football game in 72 years on Saturday night in which the Pioneers lost to Monterrey Tech of Mexico, 59-21.
The win avenged Wayland's five-set loss a day earlier to OLLU in the fourth and final match of a season-opening tournament at Texas A&M-Kingsville. The Pioneers fell in that one, 25-10, 25-19, 11-25, 12-25, 15-13.
"We played a lot better today and with a lot more confidence," Giacomazzi said. "We made a lot fewer mistakes. We only had seven errors in the match, which is about what we were averaging per set.
"It was just a big difference from yesterday to today."
Shahala Hawkins recorded 13 kills and a .406 hitting percentage for the Pioneers.
Tania Gomez,
Abby Welch and
Chelsey Driskill had six kills apiece, and Gomez added 11 digs.
Natasha Giacomazzi came away with 31 assists and 20 digs, and
Cat Wiechmann added 10 digs.
"It's always good to get the first (win)," Coach Giacomazzi said. "We kicked it up another notch. That was pretty good."
After downing OLLU, Wayland held a scrimmage against Laredo Community College.
Next, Wayland heads to Colorado State-Pueblo for another tournament. The Pioneers take on Cameron University at 9 a.m. Friday and Eastern New Mexico at 1 p.m., then on Saturday Wayland goes up against University of New Haven at 9 a.m. followed by Missouri Southern State at 3 p.m.
The Pioneers' home opener also will serve as their Sooner Athletic Conference debut on Sept. 18 against Lubbock Christian University.
