GOODWELL, Okla. – Sporting a seven-player line-up, Wayland Baptist managed to win a set and almost take another, but the Pioneers ultimately fell to Oklahoma-Panhandle State here Friday night, 25-15, 22-25, 25-18, 26-24.
Wayland made its first road trip of the season without a handful of players for a variety of reasons, while the Aggies -- the best OPSU team in 10 years, according to Wayland coach
Jim Giacomazzi -- put 11 bodies on the court at the Noble Center.
"We had moments of brilliance," Giacomazzi said.
But the Pioneers also struggled at times, including putting the ball in play as they committed 11 service errors.
"We have to work on some fundamentals," Giacomazzi said.
OPSU (3-1) won its third match in a row by hitting .253 compared to .153 for Wayland (0-2), which was playing its first official match since falling to Arizona Christian in the season-opener at home two weeks ago.
The Pioneers got 14 kills from senior
Kellie Kozak, who hit .382, while first-year junior transfer
Paxton Patterson got 13 kills and hit .265.
Amber Daniel ended with 10 smashes. For OPSU, Ana Pimenta led the way with 21 kills and a .450 hitting percentage.
"She hits hard, and we didn't always do a good job blocking her," Giacomazzi said of Pimenta.
Tevia Bell's 16 digs led Wayland, followed by Daniel with 11 and
Lucie Mahelova and
Jayla Schultz with 10 apiece. OPSU outdug Wayland, 72-56, and had a 13-7 edge in blocks.
Mahelova racked up 31 assists for Wayland.
The Pioneers have a week off before returning to action Oct. 23 at home against Texas Wesleyan (2-0), which has swept Arlington Baptist and, on Friday, Southwestern Christian.
