Volleyball completes weekend with another big win; Pioneers sit atop SAC standings

(This match was later forfeited by WBU).

All wins are good for the victorious team; some are better. Wayland Baptist's volleyball team picked up two in the "better" category this weekend.
 
After handing Southwestern Assemblies of God University its first conference loss of the season on Friday night, the Pioneers knocked off another top Sooner Athletic Conference opponent, Texas Wesleyan, on Saturday afternoon, 25-16, 25-13, 14-25, 26-24.
 
"We had a really good offensive night. That was pleasing to see," Wayland coach Jim Giacomazzi said following his team's sixth straight win that left the Pioneers (14-4, 7-1 SAC) atop the league standings. The triumph snapped the Lady Rams' eight-match win streak and also ended WBU's 10-match losing skid to Texas Wesleyan. The Pioneers hadn't beaten TXWES since 2016.
 
WBU took out SAGU in three Friday, 25-22, 25-21, 25-21, and was well on its way to sweeping Texas Wesleyan.
 
"We only had four errors in that first set, and the second set we hit really well, too," Giacomazzi said. "All the hitters were hitting on all cylinders the first two sets. It was fun to see them hitting the spots we're training (to hit)."
 
The Lady Rams (9-5, 6-2) didn't throw in the towel, though. As much as the Pioneers dominated the first two sets, Texas Wesleyan did the same midway through the third. The score was tied at 9-all when the Lady Rams scored 14 of the next 16 points on their way to a 25-14 victory.
 
Wayland righted the ship in the fourth, although the visitors from Fort Worth made them fight for every point. The Pioneers faced set point, 24-23, but fought that off and then some, getting three consecutive kills by Amber Daniel to clinch the match.
 
"That (fourth set) was a slugfest. Whoever made the fewest mistakes was going to win it," Giacomazzi said.
 
"I was thrilled with the mental toughness the girls showed. We didn't play well in that third set, but they came back toward the end of it and started to get a little momentum for the fourth set."
 
Four Pioneers ended with double-digit kills, led by Daniel and Paxton Patterson with 14 each. Tatijana Markic (.313) added 12 while Alexa Hinojos put down 11 with no errors and a .647 hitting percentage.
 
"Alexa did a nice job," Giacomazzi said.
 
Ariel Marquez dug up 13 balls while Daniel had 11. Wendy Cobbah, in for injured Jayla Shultz, ended the day with four blocks, including a pair of solo stuffs.
 
The Lady Rams got 22 kills from Sydney Charlton (.500) and 13 from Bailey Foy (.393).
 
"We finally made the adjustment to their tipping," Giacomazzi said.
 
Texas Wesleyan committed seven service errors compared to WBU's two. Markic served up three aces.
 
"Our serve-receive was pretty good today," Giacomazzi said.
 
Lucie Mahelova logged all but two of Wayland's 56 assists.
 
The contest ended a string of 10 home matches over an 11-outing stretch. Wayland starts an eight-match road swing with another tough week next week, starting with a non-conference match at Lubbock Christian (LCU beat WBU in three on Sept. 7) at 7 p.m. Tuesday and at No. 23 Oklahoma City at 7 p.m. Friday. WBU also plays at Southwestern Christian at 11 a.m. Saturday to end the first half of SAC play.