Pioneers pick up sweep on Senior Night, then a forfeit win

The Wayland Baptist volleyball team wrapped up its home schedule a day earlier than planned but went out with a bang as the Pioneers swept Central Christian (Kan.) on Friday in Hutcherson Center, 25-16, 25-19, 25-15.

"It's always nice when you win," Wayland coach Jim Giacomazzi said after the match that featured pre-game presentations for Pioneer seniors Cauane Krainski, Alexa Hinojos and Brenna Daniel as well as intermission recognition of former volleyball all-American Shahala Hawkins along with ex-Flying Queen Mary Williams and Olympic gold medal wrestler Tamyra Mensah-Stock, who will be among those inducted into the WBU Athletics Hall of Honor on Saturday morning.

Wayland (7-15, 7-10 Sooner Athletic Conference) controlled the match most of the way as the Tigers (7-21, 2-15) struggled to find a consistent rhythm.

"It was neat because you saw a couple of times when our middles and rights went up together and started getting some better timing," Giacomazzi said. "We've really come on the last couple of matches. There were some things we need to do better and we did."

Hinojos and Daniel both turned in big nights in their final home matches. Hinojos led the team in kills with 10 while hitting .333 and logging four block-assists, and Daniel recorded 13 digs, one behind Elizabeth Wirth's team-high 14.

Fade Ogunbade and Carlee Heiderecht added nine kills each and Chante Moore eight. Wayland ended with 17 blocks, with Ogunbade matching Hinojos' four and Samantha Ingram in on three, to go with 10 digs and 29 assists. Heidebrecht got Wayland's lone solo stuff along with two helpers.

"We're starting to figure it out," Giacomazzi said. "Seeing those improvements…that's what gets me excited. That's what gives me chills and why I love coaching."

The match was Wayland's final home outing because Saturday's match against Langston was forfeited by the Lions due to a rash of illnesses. That means Wayland's next match is Friday against fourth-place Oklahoma City (12-11, 10-6) before the regular-season finale at Southwestern Christian (9-16, 4-12), which is right behind the seventh-place Pioneers.

Giacomazzi said "it's a good time" for the Pioneers to hit their stride. "We play OCU next Friday, and they're going to be a little bit vengeful from losing here" 25-21, 25-20, 25-23 back on Oct. 1.

"I'm very pleased with where we are and where we're sitting. I'm 99 percent sure we'll play Texas Wesleyan" in the first round of the SAC Tournament on Nov. 8 in Fort Worth.

Before that, the coach said, "We have two more matches and hopefully we'll show some more improvement."