OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Wayland Baptist Volleyball delivered a strong team performance Friday afternoon, sweeping Oklahoma City University in straight sets (25-19, 25-23, 25-21) inside Abe Lemons Arena. The victory improved the Pioneers' record to 17-10 overall and 13-6 in Sooner Athletic Conference play.
Coming off a four-set victory over Oklahoma Panhandle State earlier in the week, the Pioneers looked to carry that momentum into their road matchup against the Stars. Wayland showed improved offensive execution and consistency throughout the afternoon, controlling the tempo and limiting Oklahoma City's opportunities to build momentum.
The Pioneers opened the match with a strong offensive performance, recording 13 kills while committing just three attacking errors for a .250 hitting percentage. Wayland's defense also made its presence felt, holding Oklahoma City to a .073 hitting percentage in the opening frame. The Pioneers maintained control throughout the set and secured a 25-19 victory to take an early advantage.
The second set proved to be the most competitive of the afternoon as both teams battled for control. Wayland recorded 16 kills but committed 10 attacking errors, finishing with a .140 hitting percentage. Despite Oklahoma City hitting .220 in the frame, the Pioneers found ways to earn crucial points and prevent the Stars from pulling away. Wayland held strong down the stretch to claim a 25-23 victory, taking a commanding two-set lead.
With the opportunity to complete the sweep, the Pioneers continued to execute offensively in the third set. Wayland delivered its highest kill total of the match, recording 18 kills while hitting .200 as a team. The Pioneers limited Oklahoma City to a .137 hitting percentage and closed out the match with a 25-21 victory to secure the straight-set win.
Deniz Yileri led the Pioneer offense with a match-high 14 kills on 37 attempts, hitting .270 while adding 14 digs for a double-double. Yileri also contributed a service ace and a block assist.
Alaina Baran followed with an impressive offensive performance, recording 12 kills on 30 attempts while hitting .333. Brooklyn Bundy added nine kills on 18 attempts for a team-high .389 hitting percentage while contributing a block assist.
Sevval Aslan finished with five kills, while Klaudia Brzeczkowska contributed four kills and led Wayland at the service line with two aces. Olivia Ley added three kills to round out the Pioneer offense.
Martyna Lewinska and Chloe Gray shared the setting responsibilities, combining for 39 assists. Lewinska finished with a team-high 20 assists and seven digs, while Gray recorded 19 assists, 11 digs and a service ace.
Defensively, Milena Alliot-Maslankiewicz anchored the back row with a team-high 17 digs. Yileri followed with 14, while Gray added 11 and Aubrie Sierra contributed nine.
Wayland finished the afternoon with 47 kills, 44 assists, four service aces and 72 digs while hitting .196 as a team. The Pioneers' balanced offensive attack and defensive consistency proved to be the difference, as Oklahoma City finished with 35 kills and a .143 hitting percentage.
Assistant Coach Dentton Hudspeth praised the team's ability to play together and emphasized the improvements the Pioneers have made in their overall team chemistry.
"We really played as one today! Didn't let them go on many runs but went on runs ourselves. We are really focusing on playing more as a team and I think it showed today," Hudspeth said.
The victory marked Wayland's second consecutive conference win and its 13th Sooner Athletic Conference victory of the season. With the regular season nearing its conclusion, the Pioneers will look to build on their improved teamwork and consistency as they prepare for the final stretch of conference play.
