ORANGE CITY, Iowa – With injuries and eligibility issues helping to claim more than half of their roster, the short-handed Wayland Baptist volleyball team opened its season with two straight-set losses Friday at the Red Raider Classic. The Pioneers began with a 25-16, 25-17, 25-16 setback to Briar Cliff, Iowa, before falling to tournament host and seventh-ranked Northwestern, Iowa, 25-7, 25-16, 25-10.
WBU coach Jim Giacomazzi said his 14-person roster currently is reduced to six available players due to multiple injuries, two players awaiting eligibility clearance from the NAIA, and another missing the trip to attend a wedding.
"We're one injury away from having to forfeit," Giacomazzi said.
The Pioneers showed up in Iowa with one available substitute, but that "luxury" was lost when freshman Cheyenne Gruben suffered a sprained ankle in the first match.
"We have lots of players playing out of position," Giacomazzi said. "Everyone is having to take on more responsibility than what they're trained for."
The result wasn't always pretty.
"I knew we'd be in a crap shoot even if we were healthy," the coach said. "We did OK against Briar Cliff, but Northwestern I think has three all-Americans, and they had their way with us."
The Pioneers at times were able to stick with Briar Cliff. In that match, Tatijana Markic managed 10 kills while Sadie Hall dug eight balls.
Against Northwestern, Kellie Kozak finished with eight kills and a .250 hitting percentage while freshman Brenna Daniel dug six balls.
"Because of our situation, Kellie had to serve and play the back row, which she doesn't do, but she did some good things. Brenna also had to step up and did a fine job for a girl right out of high school."
With top hitter Amber Daniel sidelined with a dislocated shoulder, WBU's hitting suffered. The Pioneers hit just -.012 against Briar Cliff, which swung at a .287 clip, and just -.030 against Northwestern, which conversely hit .432.
WBU is back on the court at 9 a.m. Saturday to take on Concordia, Neb., before facing No. 11 Dordt, Iowa, at 1 p.m. Dordt fell in three Friday to No. 19 Corban, Ore.
