On the heels of six season-opening setbacks, the Wayland Baptist volleyball team picked up a much-needed victory Saturday afternoon in Hutcherson Center, defeating University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma, 25-18, 22-25, 25-10, 22-25, 15-10.
It was the second straight five-set match for Wayland (1-6, 1-1 Sooner Athletic Conference). On Friday, the Pioneers fell to Mid-America Christian in the Hutch, 17-25, 25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 15-5.
WBU collapsed in the fifth against MACU, and against USAO trailed 5-3 before the Pioneers ran off six straight points to take control.
Carlee Heidebrecht provided back-to-back aces and
Fade Ogunbade logged two kills during that run.
Alexa Hinojos put down a season-high 16 kills and hit .419 to go with one solo block and three block-assists. Ogunbade added 10 kills (.214) while
Maria Eduarda Motta got eight (.375) and
Chante Moore seven (.286). Wayland hit .241 as a team with 49 smashes compared to USAO's .088 and 48 kills.
Defensively,
Elizabeth Wirth got under 20 digs plus had 23 assists and four aces, while Dayana Critchi logged 18 digs and
Samantha Ingram ended with 17 assists.
After three home games this week, the Pioneers are on the road for what figures to be two tough matches in the Metroplex against No. 21 Texas Wesleyan (2-5, 1-0) at 6 p.m. Friday in Fort Worth and No. 13 Southwestern Assemblies of God (8-0, 1-0) at 1 p.m. Saturday in Waxahachie.
Although Wayland later forfeited both matches, the Pioneers defeated TXWES in the SAC Tournament semifinals last season then lost to SAGU in the championship.
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