OKLAHOMA CITY – With another much-needed victory under their belts, the Wayland Baptist volleyball team can once again turn its attention toward knocking off the big dogs.
Less than a day after a dominating sweep of University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, the Pioneers were challenged a bit more Saturday afternoon but still came up with a victory over Mid-America Christian, 27-25, 19-25, 25-20, 25-21.
"We looked good for several sets, although I was not very pleased with the way we ended" in the fourth set, Wayland coach
Jim Giacomazzi said of his Pioneers (8-11, 7-5). "(MACU's) first 12 points were on our errors, so it didn't need to be that close.
"Again, it was three steps forward and two steps back. Fatigue was a little bit of it, but the mistakes were so unusual and varied it was probably lack of concentration. Every time we're out there we're learning something new and find a new way to focus in every match."
Wayland also beat MACU in four when they met in Plainview in the SAC opener way back on Aug. 31, 25-20, 18-25, 25-18, 26-24.
WBU senior
Mallorie Ellis and sophomore
Amber Daniel had 16 kills each, and Ellis hit a season-high .419 while Daniel finished at .262 and had 13 digs.
Kellie Kozak added a dozen kills and hit .267. Wayland hit .255 as a team, compared to .164 for MACU (9-11, 5-6).
Jordan Breding dug 21 balls while Sadie Hall got 11 and
Alex Wood, who is slowly making her way back from back injury issues, got 10.
Jessica Nguyen delivered nine digs and 45 assists. Four players combined for seven aces.
The Pioneers remain on the road for their next two next weekend against conference-leading Southwestern Assemblies of God (21-1, 12-0), ranked 25
th, and Texas Wesleyan (14-7, 10-2). Wayland lost to both of those teams in three in their Plainview matches.
"We're trying to get ahead of Southwestern Christian and John Brown and get fourth place (in order to host a first-round match in the SAC Tournament). To do that we need to beat both of those guys and win against (top three) SAGU, Texas Wesleyan and OCU. If we do that we will accomplish our goal.
"I want to beat all of those guys, which is something we can do if we keep our errors to a minimum and focus all the time in every set."
