FORT WORTH – After a promising showing in a five-set loss against 25
th-ranked Southwestern Assemblies of God on Friday night, the Wayland Baptist volleyball team had a mostly disappointing outing Saturday morning against Texas Wesleyan, falling to the Rams, 25-12, 25-9, 21-25, 25-12.
"Our errors showed their ugly head several times when we least needed to see them," Wayland coach
Jim Giacomazzi said following the Sooner Athletic Conference contest.
Wayland (8-13, 7-7 SAC) recorded 26 kills versus 27 attack errors for a -.008 hitting percentage. The Rams (16-8, 12-2) logged 48 kills and hit .233.
"Texas Wesleyan has some players that are solid, and at times we just don't match up. Some of that is their experience that contrasts our youth and inexperience," Giacomazzi said.
Making matters worse, senior
Mallorie Ellis suffered a sprained ankle in the second set. Now, the senior's availability is in question for the rest of the season. Giacomazzi said he'll know more in a couple of days once the swelling subsides.
Amber Daniel led Wayland in kills with 12, digs with 10 and aces with four.
Tatijana Markic added seven kills,
Jordan Breding six digs and
Kellie Kozak five block-assists.
Jessica Nguyen logged 24 assists.
The contest ended a four-match road swing for Wayland. The Pioneers – after picking up a win over Bacone in their already-forfeited match Friday – next host John Brown at 6 p.m. Saturday. The Golden Eagles (11-10, 10-4) are in fourth place in the league standings, two spots ahead of sixth-place Wayland which is trying to finish in the top four in order to host a SAC Tournament first-round match.
John Brown is in Columbia, Mo., for a tournament this weekend with matches against No. 5 Missouri Baptist and No. 3 Columbia. The Golden Eagles play at Oklahoma-Panhandle State on Friday before coming to Plainview.
JBU defeated the Pioneers when the teams met in Siloam Springs, Ark., Sept. 14, 25-18, 25-21, 21-25, 25-23.
