FORT WORTH, Texas — Wayland Baptist volleyball suffered a 3-0 setback against Texas Wesleyan University on Friday evening at the Sid Richardson Center, as the Pioneers and Rams moved into a tie for fourth place in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings.

Texas Wesleyan took the match by scores of 25-19, 25-16 and 25-15. With the result, Wayland moves to 11-7 overall and 7-3 in SAC play, while Texas Wesleyan improves to 10-8 overall and 7-3 in conference action.

Wayland produced its strongest offensive performance in the opening set, recording 12 kills against five errors on 36 attacks for a .194 hitting percentage. The Pioneers stayed within striking distance but were unable to overcome Texas Wesleyan's efficient attack as the Rams hit .385 in the frame and secured the 25-19 victory.

Texas Wesleyan continued to apply pressure in the second set. Wayland was held to eight kills and a .026 hitting percentage, while the Rams put down 16 kills and hit .286. The Pioneers' offensive struggles carried into the third set, when they recorded six kills against eight errors as Texas Wesleyan completed the sweep. Wayland finished the match with 26 kills and a .058 hitting percentage, while the Rams totaled 42 kills and hit .330.

Individually, Emma Scott, Alaina Baran and Taisiia Kalchenko led Wayland with five kills apiece. Scott contributed a team-high 8.5 points, including one service ace, one solo block and three block assists. Brooklyn Bundy added four kills while hitting .250, and Deniz Yileri finished with three kills and a service ace. Ana Zink recorded two kills on four attempts for a .500 hitting percentage while also contributing six assists. 

Defensively, Milena Alliot-Maslankiewicz led the Pioneers with 13 digs, while Martyna Lewinska handed out a team-high 14 assists. Wayland finished with 35 digs and five total blocks but had difficulty slowing a Texas Wesleyan attack led by Faith McClellan, who recorded 15 kills while hitting .480. 

The loss leaves Wayland and Texas Wesleyan tied for fourth place in the SAC at 7-3 as the Pioneers continue through the conference portion of their schedule.

Up Next
Wayland will have a quick turnaround as the Pioneers travel to face Nelson University on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 1 p.m.