Box Score
Thanks in part to a trash can, the Wayland Baptist volleyball team turned in its finest defensive performance of the season on Friday night in Hutcherson Center as the No. 18 Pioneers powered past Oklahoma City University in Sooner Athletic Conference action, 25-14, 25-12, 25-12.
Wayland coach
Jim Giacomazzi used a trash can in Thursday's practice as part of an agonizing drill to help the Pioneers (23-4, 8-1 SAC) with their digging. The drill did a number on the players' legs, helping to inspire them to step up their defense in Friday's match so they wouldn't have to repeat the drill.
"I told them what a great job they were doing defensively in between the second and third sets, and they said it was because they didn't want to do that drill again," Giacomazzi said with a laugh. "Their thighs were burning pretty good on Thursday. They knew the drill wasn't going to end until they started making better contact."
The trash can drill worked its magic to the tune of 63 digs against the Stars (15-9, 6-4).
"We had 20 digs in the first set, 24 in the second set and 19 in the third set," Giacomazzi said. "That's amazing. We hadn't done that all year. It was a great defensive performance."
Leading the way was setter
Ashlyn Westerman, who ended with a team-best 15 digs, including 13 in the first two sets.
"That was remarkable," Giacomazzi said of Westerman's digging numbers the first two sets. "I've been so spoiled with great defensive setters. I had to high-five her because she was digging with the proper technique. That was very pleasing to see."
Giacomazzi also liked what he saw with the Pioneers' concentration consistency.
"We've been working on our concentration and focus, and in this match I believe it was the best concentration and focus we've had from beginning to end all season," the coach said. "We got a lot of people in (the match), and they kept the pressure on. They didn't let up and stayed focused."
Giacomazzi might have been a bit unsure which of his teams would show up against OCU, which had won three straight. Would it be the one that on Tuesday lost to the University of Texas-Permian Basin, or would it be the one ranked 18
th that defeated NCAA Division II nationally-ranked Angelo State?
The Pioneers showed right away that it would be the latter as they topped OCU for the fifth time in a row, including the fourth consecutive sweep. In the all-time series, the Pioneers pulled to within 10-9 of the Stars.
Grecia Rivera continued her solid play, leading WBU with 15 kills on 35 swings with a .314 hitting percentage, as well as a dozen digs, three block assists and a pair of aces.
Shahala Hawkins and
Claire Jacobsma both ended with eight kills, with Hawkins hitting .500 with only one error in addition to one solo block and for block assists. WBU tallied nine total blocks.
"We executed the block technique we wanted, so I was really pleased," Giacomazzi said.
Besides her team-high 15 digs, Westerman recorded 39 assists and two aces, and
Natasha Giacomazzi dug 12 balls.
Wayland returns to the Hutch at 11 a.m. Saturday to take on Mid-America Christian (3-18, 0-9), which is still looking for its first SAC victory. The Lady Evangels have dropped 14 of their last 15 matches, and Wayland leads the all-time series against MACU, 13-0.
"We hope to have the same kind of focus and concentration we had tonight two days in a row," Giacomazzi said.
It will be Wayland's final tune-up before next Friday's showdown in Shawnee against Oklahoma Baptist.
