BETHANY, Okla. – The Wayland Baptist Volleyball team overcame a competitive opening set and adjustments to its lineup to secure a four-set victory over Southwestern Christian University on Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers closed out the match with a dominant fourth-set performance to earn their third consecutive Sooner Athletic Conference victory.
The win improves Wayland's record to 18-10 overall and 14-6 in conference play as the Pioneers continue to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
Wayland opened the match in a tightly contested first set, with both teams exchanging points throughout. The Pioneers recorded 15 kills while hitting .149, but Southwestern Christian answered with 17 kills and an impressive .318 hitting percentage. Despite battling through several extended rallies, Wayland narrowly dropped the opening frame, 29-27.
The Pioneers responded in the second set with improved offensive execution and defensive pressure. Wayland recorded 13 kills while hitting .179 and limited the Eagles to a .075 hitting percentage. The Pioneers established control of the set and secured a 25-19 victory to even the match at one set apiece.
The third set brought another close battle as both teams fought for momentum. Wayland recorded 12 kills and continued to apply pressure at the net, while its defense held Southwestern Christian to a .050 hitting percentage. The Pioneers executed in the closing moments to claim a 25-23 victory and take a 2-1 advantage.
With an opportunity to close out the match, Wayland delivered its most dominant performance of the afternoon in the fourth set. The Pioneers overwhelmed Southwestern Christian with aggressive serving and defensive pressure, limiting the Eagles to just three kills and forcing 11 attacking errors. Southwestern Christian finished the set hitting -.250 as Wayland cruised to a commanding 25-7 victory to complete the four-set win.
Brooklyn Bundy led the Pioneer offense with a match-high 14 kills on 25 attempts while committing just two errors for an outstanding .480 hitting percentage. Bundy also contributed four block assists.
Alaina Baran followed with 10 kills on 26 attempts, hitting .269 while adding six digs and two block assists. Klaudia Brzeczkowska provided an impressive all-around performance, finishing with six kills, five service aces and a team-high nine block assists.
Lilou Henry and Taisiia Kalchenko each contributed five kills, while Sevval Aslan added four kills to the Pioneer offense.
Wayland's serving proved to be a major difference in the victory as the Pioneers recorded an impressive 17 service aces. Rachel Russell led the team with six aces and added 13 digs, while Brzeczkowska finished with five. Milena Alliot-Maslankiewicz contributed two aces and anchored the defensive effort with a match-high 28 digs.
Chloe Gray and Martyna Lewinska shared the setting responsibilities, combining for 42 assists. Gray led the Pioneers with 26 assists and eight digs, while Lewinska contributed 16 assists and five digs.
As a team, Wayland finished with 48 kills, 47 assists, 17 service aces, 80 digs and 27 block assists while holding Southwestern Christian to a .071 hitting percentage.
Head Coach Lucie Mahelova praised her team's ability to overcome adjustments throughout the match and finish with the level of play she expects from the Pioneers.
"Even though we played around with some rotations, the girls pulled through. In the fourth set, we finally saw the team we are used to seeing!" Mahelova said.
The victory completes a successful Oklahoma road trip for the Pioneers, who swept Oklahoma City University on Friday before defeating Southwestern Christian on Saturday.
UP NEXT
Wayland Baptist returns home to the Hutcherson Center on Friday, November 6, to face Nelson University. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. The Pioneers will then host Texas Wesleyan University on Saturday, November 7, at 1 p.m. to conclude the regular season.
