Box Score
SALINA, Kan. – Taking the court at 8:30 a.m. to start Saturday's action at the LaQuinta Inn & Suites Kansas Wesleyan Invitational, the Wayland Baptist volleyball team overcame a sluggish start to defeat College of the Ozarks (Mo.) in four, 19-25, 25-22, 25-10, 25-20.
"We just needed to kick it up a little more mentally," WBU coach Jim Giacomazzi said of his team's slow start out of the gates against the Bobcats (8-8), who on Friday played a pair of Sooner Athletic Conference teams, defeating John Brown University in three before losing to Southwestern Assemblies of God University in five. "After College of the Ozarks won the first set, we were able to rise up to the occasion of being a little bit more intense."
The Pioneers (11-2), who swept Tabor College (Kan.) and York College (Neb.) on Friday, were held to nine digs in the first set, which is half of their goal.
"We're fifth In the conference right now (in average digs per set), which is unacceptable. We've been No. 1 in the nation in that category," Giacomazzi said. "The hardest skill to learn is anticipation and reading, so as we get more experience, we should be better at that."
Wayland, which reverted from a 6-2 defense to its standard 5-1 after dropping the opening set, was in danger of falling behind 2-0 as they trailed in the second set, 20-17. But Wayland finally woke up and won eight of the next 10 points to prevail, 25-22, and even the match.
After that it was mostly smooth sailing, especially in the third set when WBU jumped out to an 8-0 advantage. They went on to lead, 13-1, before prevailing in one of their most lopsided sets of the season, 25-10.
"We picked up our blocking in the third and fourth (sets)," said Giacomazzi, whose team ended with 13 blocks.
The fourth set was closer, but the Pioneers for the third time this season were able to win in four after dropping the first set, having also done it against Hardin-Simmons and then No. 20 Cal State-San Marcos.
"It was a good match," Giacomazzi said. "We've been talking to the girls about stepping up our defense. We had some nice rallies, but we need to do better. We also had some serve receive errors, and there shouldn't be any confusion there. As time goes on, some of those little mistakes are going to get better."
Mackenzie Clark, in her third match as a Pioneer after becoming eligible this week, led the Pioneers with 14 kills on 28 swings.
"Mackenzie came in and did a fine job," Giacomazzi said. "That's an added offensive threat."
Shahala Hawkins was close behind with 13 kills, followed by Grecia Rivera with eight and Chelsey Driskill with six. The Pioneers finished with 63 digs.
The Pioneers return to action at 3 p.m. Saturday against host Kansas Wesleyan (9-7). The Coyotes have won three straight matches going into a contest against John Brown University on Saturday morning.
