Box Score LANGSTON, Okla. –
Amber Daniel served up a school-record eight aces as Wayland Baptist earned its first official on-court win in more than two weeks here Friday night by sweeping Langston University in Sooner Athletic Conference play, 25-16, 25-19, 25-17.
"Our timing was better tonight. We were hitting to the right spots, our serving was really good and our serve-receive was very good," WBU coach
Jim Giacomazzi said.
Wayland (5-8, 4-3 SAC) never trailed by more than two points at any time during the match against the Lions (2-13, 0-7).
Daniel's eight aces (Wayland had 11 as a team) broke the school record of seven accomplished several times, most recently by
Megan Sharratt last season. Daniel, a sophomore from Frenship High School, also had 11 digs and seven kills.
The Pioneers were credited with 27 kills, led by
Mallorie Ellis' nine. Ellis, who hit .304, ended with eight digs, one solo block and three block-assists.
Kellie Kozak got six kills, and
Jessica Nguyen finished with 21 assists.
Wayland hit .176; Langston .122.
"We've been working a lot on our timing," Giacomazzi said. "We're a young team, and timing is always going to be an issue because they're so young."
It was the Pioneers' first official on-court win since beating Oklahoma-Panhandle State on Sept. 4. WBU lost four in a row after that before picking up a forfeit win over Bacone and an exhibition victory over the WBU alumni.
"We're getting better every time we play," Giacomazzi said.
The Pioneers will try to get better again in McPherson, Kan., where they take on another winless-in-the-conference team, Central Christian (0-7), at 1 p.m. Saturday. Central Christian also is winless on the season at 0-9, having not won a set this season.
Wayland likely will face more of a challenge at 5 p.m. Saturday when the Pioneers take a break from conference play to challenge No. 24 McPherson College (15-1).
