Nothing too unusual as Pioneers dispose of SAC newcomer Central Christian College in 3

Strange things sometimes occur on Friday the 13^th. Besides a bit of an unusual lineup for Wayland Baptist, and a coach wearing a rehabilitation boot, nothing bizarre happened this evening in Hutcherson Center where, as most expected, the Pioneer volleyball team swept Central Christian College (Kan.).

Using different rotations in part to rest injured players and also to allow others more playing time, Wayland coach Jim Giacomazzi watched his team ease past Sooner Athletic Conference newcomer CCC, 25-14, 25-11, 25-16.

"Overall, we did what we needed to do against a team (5-13, 1-9 SAC) that is struggling this year," said Giacomazzi, who coached in a walking boot after injuring his Achilles tendon in practice earlier in the week.

Elisabeth Piroli had a double-double with 31 assists and 11 digs for Wayland (14-, 6-4), and Megan Sharratt ended with 11 kills and hit .455 plus tallied four aces and five block-assists. Besides Piroli, two other Pioneers had double-digit digs, Jordan Breding with 14 and Amber Daniel with 10. Lindsey Schwab added three of Wayland's 10 aces, one off a season-high.

"We had good serving tonight for the most part, especially Lindsey and Megan, which was pleasing," Giacomazzi said.

But it was Wayland's normal substitutes – freshmen Fallyn Berry, Jai'Cee Tudman and Kara Foreman – who drew most of their coach's praises.

"At one point we had four freshmen on the floor (Daniel and Kellie Kozak also are freshmen)," Giacomazzi said. "We wanted to get Kara more playing time today, and Fallyn and Jai'Cee came in for Mallorie (Ellis). Jaicee came up with several nice passes and some nice defensive plays. I'm pleased she had some success, and Fallyn, too. Between the two of them they did a fine job."

(Ellis sat out the match in order to rest for Saturday morning's contest against Oklahoma City.)

The first set, 25-14, wasn't close and the second was even more lopsided as Wayland broke to a 10-1 lead behind Schwab's serving. Schwab had another nice run as server with five straight points near the end of the game.

The third set was a bit more competitive, but then it was Sharratt's turn to dominate the service line. Wayland trailed, 16-15, then after tying it Sharratt served out the match, including three aces.

"She did a great job taking the set home," Giacomazzi said.

The Pioneers will certainly have a much tougher challenge beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday against Oklahoma City (14-5, 9-1), which won its ninth straight match Friday night in Goodwell, Okla., by defeating Oklahoma Panhandle State, 25-12, 25-12, 23-25, 25-9.

"I'm anticipating a knock-down, drag-out," Giacomazzi said. "We have to play smart, eliminate service errors, and hit our service zones. They have the best libero in the conference (Dani Chase), so we have to serve away and hit away from her, and the rest of the team will have to have success in digging so we just don't give it to them because she's such a good defensive player. They have a very good setter (Sanja Vojnovic) also, so we have to keep eyes on her."

Chase ranks eighth in the NAIA in digs per game (5.9) while Vojnovic, of Bosnia, ranks eighth in aces per game (0.72) and 16^th in assists per game (10.4).