Box Score HASTINGS, Neb. – Seventh-ranked Midland, Neb., handed Wayland Baptist its first three-set loss in more than a year as the Warriors prevailed over the third-ranked Pioneers on Saturday morning at the Five Points Bank Invitational, 25-20, 25-19, 25-22.
The last time Wayland (4-3) was swept was in the final match of the 2012 season by Oklahoma Baptist in the championship of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament. All of WBU's losses last year were in either four or five sets.
Taking the court at 9 a.m., the Pioneers went up early against the Warriors (8-3), leading in the first set, 10-5. But it was mostly downhill for WBU after that.
Midland, which didn't play on Friday, ran off five unanswered points to tie it at 15, then remained in control to take the first set, 25-20, getting the winning point on an ace.
The Warriors had another extended run in set No. 2, this time getting six points in a row to break a 7-7 tie for a 13-7 lead. Wayland never threatened after that and went down, 25-19.
Wayland showed signs of life in the third set, although Midland controlled held the upper hand most of the way. The Pioneers pulled to within a point at 16-15, but the Warriors responded by getting the next three points. Wayland hung tough, but Midland was able to finish it in three, 25-22.
Wayland hit .196 compared to .252 for Midland.
Shahala Hawkins' 18 kills and .432 hitting percentage paced the Pioneers, followed by
Chelsey Driskill's 11 smashes and .360 hitting percentage. Wayland outblocked Midland, 6-5, with
Katie Inman getting the only solo stuff for the Pioneers while Hawkins and Ashlyn Western had three block assists each.
Mercades Torres had 12 digs and
Cat Wiechmann nine as the Pioneers dug 37 balls, versus 42 for Midland.
Wayland wraps up tournament play at 3 p.m. Saturday against the host team, Hastings. The Broncos (7-3), who received votes in the NAIA Top 25 Preseason Poll, on Friday defeated Friends University in three before falling to No. 21 Embry-Riddle, Fla., in five, 27-25, 20-25, 19-25, 25-19, 15-5. Wayland swept Embry-Riddle on Friday morning before defeating Montana Western in five.
