Volleyball earns 2nd sweep of weekend

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Wayland Baptist geared up for an important upcoming weekend by finishing up a rather restful one here Saturday.

After disposing of Mid-America Christian in three relatively easy sets on Friday night in Oklahoma City, the Pioneers did the same against Science and Arts of Oklahoma in another Sooner Athletic Conference match Saturday morning, 25-14, 25-23, 25-20.

"Today was a day for our reserves to get some court time," Wayland coach Jim Giacomazzi said. "Fallyn (Berry) started to relax after the second set and ended with nine kills. Kara (Foreman) also saw a lot of court time in the middle and had four kills."

Amber Daniel led the way for the Pioneers (16-9, 8-5 SAC) with 10 smashes, while Megan Sharratt added seven to the mix. Wayland ended with 41 kills compared to just 18 for USAO, which hit .000 compared to the Pioneers' .174.

WBU produced 10 aces, three each by Sharratt and Elisabeth Piroli, who also had 33 assists.

Defensively, Jordan Breding's 30 digs were one off her season-high, while Daniel added 10.

Wayland, which defeated USAO 25-19, 25-14, 25-13 in their Sept. 9 match in Plainview, mostly cruised Saturday, but in the second set found itself trailing, 18-10.

"Megan went back in and Mallorie (Ellis) played all the way around. Fallyn was playing front row and Mallorie served for her and played back row. We tied it up at 22 and took the lead at 23 before finishing the set 25-23," Giacomazzi said.

"We got a lot of experience and it was great to see everyone get some playing time," the coach added.

Wayland plays its final two regular-season home matches next weekend against teams ahead of the Pioneers in the SAC standings. At 7 p.m. Friday in what will be Senior Night for Wayland, the Pioneers host Southwestern Assemblies of God (21-5, 11-1), winners of five straight including a sweep Tuesday over the Pioneers' Saturday opponent, Texas Wesleyan (20-3, 9-3). The Lady Rams are just ahead of Wayland in the standings in fourth place.

WBU will be looking to avenge road losses to Texas Wesleyan (25-15, 25-15, 25-18) and SAGU (25-21, 25-16, 22-25, 25-23).

The Pioneers finish up the regular season Nov. 2 in Goodwell, Okla., against Oklahoma Panhandle State (8-14, 5-8).