Plainview – The Pioneers found themselves in a tough Sooner Athletic Conference match against
RV Nelson University on Friday night at the Hutcherson Center, and the Lions took down Wayland Baptist in three straight sets to hand the Pioneers their first home loss of the season.
The Pioneers fell in an early 9-3 hole in the opening set after the Lions scored eight kills in their first nine points. Wayland Baptist just couldn't get in a rhythm during the early portions of this match and ultimately dropped the first set, 25-15. The Lions owned a .324 hitting percentage compared to a .036 hitting percentage for the Pioneers.
Wayland Baptist opened the second set with greater energy, and they jumped out to a 6-2 lead over the Lions after kills by four different by Pioneers. The Lions stormed right back to eventually even the score with the Pioneers at 8 a piece, but a few Lion errors gave the momentum back to the Pioneers, allowing them to take an 11-8 lead. The see-saw battle in the second set continued as the Lions would battle back and take a 15-13 lead over the Pioneers, but a service ace by libero
Emily Buchberger and a kill by junior
Fade Ogunbade would bring the Pioneers back even at 15.
With the score tied at 22, junior
Carlee Heidebrecht scored a kill followed by a Lion error to give Wayland Baptist a chance to serve for set point. The Lions would extend the set after tying the score at 25, but a service ace for the Lions gave them the chance at set point. Ogunbade would respond with a kill for the Pioneers off the feed from
Jordan Schlageter to even the score at 26. The Lions followed up with back-to-back kills to secure the 28-26 win in set two to take a commanding 2-0 lead to put the Pioneers backs up against the wall.
The third set opened slowly for Wayland Baptist as they fell behind 10-5 despite two early kills by senior
Alyssa Vasquez and one by Ogunbade. The Pioneer battled to stay within striking distance midway through the third set, but the Lions scored a kill and a service ace to push their lead to 19-12 to dash the Pioneers chances at a comeback.
RV Nelson would win the third set 25-17 to win the match 3-0.
"We had to make some quick changes in our line up, but they fought as a team and did not let the slight confusion and brand-new responsibilities overshadow our focus. Jordan stepped up today and took charge of the offense against a tough opponent." said Assistant Coach
Lucie Mahelova.
Coach Mahelova continued, "I love to see a player that has worked so hard at every single practice be able to transfer it to a game. We took a step forward today and are excited for our next match up against a tough Texas Wesleyan team."
Ogunbade had a team-high eight kills and a .438 hitting percentage. Schlageter had 15 assists, two kills, six digs, and a .667 hitting percentage. Heidebrecht finished with five kills and a .158 hitting percentage.
The Pioneers return to the court tomorrow for another home Sooner Athletic Conference match with the Rams of Texas Wesleyan University. The match is set to begin at 1:00 PM at the Hutcherson Center.
