Pioneers Fall Short in Season Opener to Bethel (KS), Falling in Four Sets

PARKVILLE, Mo. -- Wayland Baptist volleyball opened the 2025 season with plenty of fight but ultimately came up short against Bethel College (Kan.), falling in four sets (16-25, 16-25, 25-13, 23-25) Friday afternoon at the Pirate Invitational.
 
After a slow start in the first two sets, the Pioneers (0-1) roared back in the third frame, dominating with a .467 hitting percentage and limiting the Threshers (5-1) to just nine kills. Behind sharp execution and a balanced attack, Wayland rolled to a 25-13 win, forcing a fourth set.
 
The final stanza was a nail-biter, featuring six ties and multiple lead changes, but Bethel managed to hold off the Pioneers in the closing points.
 
Offensively, sophomore outside hitter Carlee Heidebrecht led the charge with a match-high 13 kills on an impressive .333 hitting percentage, while adding three blocks and a team-best 16 points. Fellow attacker Fade Ogunbade chipped in nine kills and two blocks, while junior newcomer Averi Penner tallied eight kills and four digs.
 
Setter Martyna Lewinska efficiently ran the offense, dishing out 29 assists and adding 10 digs for a double-double, while also contributing two service aces. At the net, the Pioneers totaled six team blocks, highlighted by Emma Scott and Ogunbade combining for four.
 
Wayland finished the match hitting .231 as a team, improving dramatically in the third set when they recorded 14 kills without a single error. Defensively, the Pioneers collected 50 digs, led by Heidebrecht (12) and Lewinska (10).
 
Despite the setback, head coach Lucie Mahelova saw plenty to build on moving forward.
 
"This was a great learning experience of how we as a team need to start out strong and finish strong," Mahelova said. "I believe that these girls can do anything they put their mind to. We have the heart and strength to push each other every single day. Now we have to come together, work, encourage each other, play like we know how to play."
 
The Pioneers continue play at the Pirate Invitational tomorrow with matches against the University of Saint Mary (KS) at 10:00 AM and Park University (MO) at 4:00 PM.