Pioneers roll past OPSU in battle for first

In a first-place showdown against Oklahoma-Panhandle State, the Wayland Baptist volleyball team made quick work of the Aggies, prevailing in three, 25-17, 25-17, 25-20, to secure their 12^th straight win Tuesday night in Hutcherson Center.
 
"This was the best match we have played in three years," Wayland coach Jim Giacomazzi said proudly. "Bravo, ladies, for a great win."
 
The match pitted two of the three teams tied atop the Sooner Athletic Conference, both of which entered the evening with lengthy winning streaks. With the convincing win – against a team that beat the Pioneers in the fall – Wayland (12-3, 5-0 SAC) stays atop the SAC standings alongside 16^th-ranked Oklahoma City (5-1, 5-0) and stretches its winning streak to 12 in a row. OPSU (9-2, 4-1) lost for the first time after nine wins in a row.
 
Wayland did it on the strength of its defense, specifically at the net where the Pioneers recorded 14 blocks. That's the most for the team in 5½ years, since getting 15 in a five-set win against Texas Wesleyan on Oct. 31, 2015.
 
"The ladies have worked very hard in the last two weeks on defense and blocking.

Not only did we have 14 blocks, but we had dozens of quality touches," Giacomazzi said. "OPSU is one of the best blocking teams in the nation. It's very pleasing to see the hard work turn into some nice success for our front row players."

Several Pioneers stood out, including Kellie Kozak, who had a season-high 15 kills to go with three aces and one solo and five block-assists; Alexa Hinojos, who had two solo and four block-assists; and Paxton Patterson and Lucie Mahelova, who also logged four block-assists apiece.
 
"Kellie had another solid night on offense," Giacomazzi said of the senior who hit .583, her second-highest percentage of the season. "Tatijana (Markic) and Alexa had some timely swings." Markic ended with seven kills and Hinojos (.278) six.

Wayland also enjoyed a strong serving night with nine aces, compared to just one for OPSU.
 
"I have to also mention our serve-receive numbers were very good. Our defensive specialists have touched hundreds of balls the last couple of weeks," Giacomazzi said.
 
Amber Daniel led Wayland with 13 digs, followed by Ariel Marquez with eight. Mahelova finished with 19 assists while Elizabeth Wirth had 18.
 
OPSU hit .088, with Essence West getting a dozen kills. No other Aggie had more than six.

"As I said in the fall, OPSU is the best they have been in years, and they have gotten better since the fall," Giacomazzi said.
 
That says a lot about the Pioneers, since the Aggies defeated Wayland in Goodwell, Okla., in mid-October, 25-15, 22-25, 25-18, 26-24.
 
Wayland's 12^th straight win moves the team within two of matching the 14 consecutive victories from the 2014 season. The Pioneers will shoot for No. 13 against John Brown (4-1, 3-1) at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Hutch prior to a road match at Texas Wesleyan (10-2, 4-1), ranked the equivalent of No. 32, on March 19 in Fort Worth.