Volleyballers take down 1st-place OPSU in 3

(This match was later forfeited by WBU).

A defensive tweak helped Wayland Baptist knock off conference-leading Oklahoma-Panhandle State on Tuesday evening at Hutcherson Center.
 
"We changed our defense (Monday) to mirror what OPSU's offense was doing. The girls showed a lot of intelligence staying with the game plan. Defensively, I was very proud of them," Wayland coach Jim Giacomazzi said following the 25-22, 25-18, 25-23 win.
 
The defensive tweak was in response to OPSU's offensive tendency to tip, said Giacomazzi, who added that the Aggies used the tip to defeat Mid-America Christian last Saturday, a day after MACU knocked off the Pioneers.
 
"They're a very strong tipping team. Because we changed the defense, we were in the places where the tips were going to go. That made the difference from what MACU did and what we did and helped us beat a really good team in three."
 
At the same time, Wayland made the most of its own tipping talents. "They were out of position several times. Because we hit the ball hard, they were back on their heels and we were able to get the ball in front of them. We had some very well-placed tips by Tatijana, Jayla and Amber."
 
The Pioneers didn't look like they would get it done in three, trailing OPSU in the third, 21-18. But Wayland ended the match on a 7-2 run to put away the Aggies.
 
Amber Daniel finished with 10 kills and Tatijana Markic nine. Lucie Mahelova managed 33 assists and 10 digs for a double-double, while Jayda Nelson matched the 10 digs with Ariel Marquez digging a team-high 15 balls.
 
"They're a good defensive team because they have such tall blocks," Giacomazzi said. "Our defense matched their defense. We both had 60 digs. Twenty per set is exceptional for us."
 
WBU also out-blocked the taller Aggies, 16-10, with Jayla Schultz getting five block-assists and Mahelova four. Giacomazzi said OPSU logged 26 blocks in its win over MACU.
 
"We put up some good blocks," Giacomazzi said. "Essence West had over 20 kills against MACU; we held her to 14. She's a player, the one we had to key on and slow down."
 
Wayland's third straight win improved the Pioneers to 11-4 on the season and 4-1 in the Sooner Athletic Conference, behind only Southwestern Assemblies of God (10-3, 4-0). Wayland takes on SAGU in its next home match, Sept. 24, following a road trip to Arkansas this weekend to take on John Brown (7-8, 2-2) at 7 p.m. Friday.
 
"We have to keep improving every match," Giacomazzi said. "The rest of this first half, every match gets harder."