Box Score MUSKOGEE, Okla. – Playing at an unusual time or with some unusual rotations didn't faze the Wayland Baptist volleyball team as the Pioneers rolled over winless Bacone in Sooner Athletic Conference play here Friday afternoon, 25-14, 25-19, 25-18.
"We got some people in that weren't planning on playing that much," said Wayland coach
Jim Giacomazzi, who for the most part was pleased with the performance of his team that's ranked the equivalent of 33
rd in the NAIA.
"We're trying to make a statement that if you make a mistake, you're out (of the match)," Giacomazzi said. "Our reserves are supposed to come off the bench and energize us a little bit or at least not make mistakes, and that's what they did."
"We're to the point of the season where we need to play a lot better. We have to execute and start scoring points and not making excuses. We have to get mentally tougher."
It was the fifth straight win for Wayland (19-5, overall, 9-1 SAC), and the fourth consecutive in straight sets. The Lady Warriors fell to 0-20, 0-10.
"We want to win with intensity and passion and fewer mistakes, and that's starting to happen," Giacomazzi said. "We need to win these matches decisively. It's not only the win but also the quality of the win.
"It's a work in progress."
Senior all-Americans
Chelsey Driskill and
Shahala Hawkins ended with identical kills (12) and hitting percentages (.458).
Cindy Horn added six kills and hit .308. As a team Wayland hit .214 compared to Bacone's .044.
The Pioneers produced 50 digs, six blocks and five aces.
Emily Welch ended with a dozen assists and
Tyler Gasaloga 10.
Rossanna Ramos led WBU with 12 digs followed by Welch with 10.
Wayland will try to maintain its momentum with another unusual start time – 10:30 a.m. – on Saturday in Siloam Springs, Ark., against John Brown (16-8, 6-3), currently the third-place team in the conference right behind Wayland. The Golden Eagles defeated the Pioneers last season in Arkansas and took Wayland to five sets last month in Plainview before WBU rallied to win, 23-25, 25-23, 17-25, 25-23, 15-10.
Giacomazzi said the Pioneers are excited for the opportunity to try to avenge last year's road loss to JBU, but said it will be anything but easy.
After John Brown, Wayland will face College of the Ozarks (Ark.) in a non-conference match at 1 p.m.
