Box Score BETHANY, Okla. – Less than 24 hours after having their nine-match winning streak snapped by No. 13 Oklahoma City University, the Wayland Baptist volleyball team started a new streak Saturday morning as the Pioneers defeated Southwestern Christian, 25-19, 25-17, 26-24.
"Overall I was pleased with the performance, especially for them to bounce back like that," WBU coach
Jim Giacomazzi said. "Southwestern Christian is a much-improved team over years past, so you can't take them lightly."
Starting the second half of Sooner Athletic Conference play, the Pioneers (16-8, 9-1 SAC) – ranked the equivalent of 37th – were without sophomore
Mallorie Ellis, who sat out with a foot injury. But Wayland got freshman
Krista Epley back for the first time in several weeks, and freshman
Sadie Staton started in Ellis' place on the left side.
"It was a good day for Mallorie to have off. We got a lot of other people some playing time, and they did a good job," Giacomazzi said. "Krista was 6-for-12 and hit .417."
Junior
Alex Wood put down a team-best 16 kills while
Megan Sharratt had nine and hit .400.
Senior
Rossanna Ramos finished with 26 kills.
"That was really good," Giacomazzi said. "She was all over the court."
While the coach said his team's serve receive "was not as keen as it has been in the past," the Pioneers' serves were sharp most of the match. Wayland produced five aces, three by
Jordan Breding and two by Sharratt.
"We were behind 23-19 in the third and ended up winning 26-24. A lot of that was due to having some quality serves that got us free balls back during that rally," Giacomazzi said.
Riyana Rakrouki ended with 19 assists and 10 digs while
Elisabeth Piroli had 17 assists.
Having just started an eight-match road swing, Wayland next travels to Siloam Springs, Ark., to face John Brown University on Wednesday evening. John Brown (14-9, 5-5) fell at home to third-place St. Gregory's on Saturday, 16-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-17.
"We expect Jon Brown to be out for a little bit of revenge," Giacomazzi said, thinking back to WBU's 25-23, 25-17, 25-19 win over the Golden Eagles in Plainview on Sept. 30. "They are always tough at their place."
After that the Pioneers head to Des Moines, Iowa, for a tournament that will see Wayland take on No. 5 Viterbo (Wisc.) and defending national champion Columbia, Mo.
"This is a good time of year for us to see where we are nationally," Giacomazzi said. "Hopefully we'll have some healthy bodies for that tournament.
"We'll keep our nose to the grindstone."
