Pioneers Weather the Wind, Sweep the Day on the Sand

The Wayland Baptist beach volleyball team continued its strong early-season play with a pair of dual victories, defeating Oklahoma Wesleyan and Texas Wesleyan in a competitive day on the sand.

Wayland opened the day with a tight battle against Oklahoma Wesleyan, earning a 4-1 dual victory. The Pioneers secured key wins across the lineup, highlighted by dominant performances from several pairs.

At the top position, Taisiia Kalchenko and Deniz Yileri controlled their match from start to finish, defeating Maddy McKinney and Avery Forman in straight sets, 21-12 and 21-14. Averi Penner and Lilou Henry-Souquet-Bressand also earned a straight-set win for Wayland, edging Clara Warren and Kaytlin Sowards 21-19 and 21-15.

Frida Espeseth and Milena Alliot-Maslankiewicz delivered one of the day's most exciting matches, battling through three sets to defeat Emma Stubbs and Valeria Perez. After winning the opening set 21-18 and narrowly dropping the second 19-21, the duo regrouped to take the deciding set and secure the point for the Pioneers.

Luiza Valentim and Carlee Heidebrecht provided the most decisive victory of the dual, dominating their matchup against Gracie Layton and Annaliese Schonauer with a 21-8, 21-10 win.

Despite challenging weather conditions, there wind was anywhere from 25-30 mph at times, the Pioneers managed to stay composed throughout the contest.

"We played a great game with less than perfect weather," said assistant coach Alyssa Vasquez. "The wind was unforgiving but our girls really pushed through these horrible conditions and won 4-1 against Oklahoma Wesleyan."

Wayland carried that momentum into its second dual of the day against Texas Wesleyan, where the Pioneers earned a 4-1 victory.

Selma Sutaj and Alaina Baran opened the scoring for Wayland with a gritty three-set win over Eduardo Portes and Kali Liva. After taking the first set 21-16 and falling in the second 17-21, the pair responded with a strong 15-7 performance in the deciding set.

Penner and Henry-Souquet-Bressand continued their impressive day with another straight-set victory, defeating Reagan Fitzsimmons and Amber Smart 21-19 and 21-18.

Espeseth and Alliot-Maslankiewicz once again came through in a three-set battle, defeating Jolee Van Dyke and Audrey Rogers 21-13, 18-21, and 15-11 to give the Pioneers another crucial point.

The dual-clinching win came from Valentim and Heidebrecht, who rallied after dropping the first set to defeat Sydney Alexander and Hope Miller 19-21, 21-13, and 15-13.

Assistant coach Alyssa Vasquez praised the team's effort and resilience throughout the match.

"We played a really great game against a good school," Vasquez said. "Our 2nd and 4th team went to three sets and pulled through with our first two wins of the match. Our 5th team then came in and also went three sets to win the match for us. We had four out of five pairs come out with a win. I am so proud of all these ladies for pushing through and working hard."

The pair of victories continues to build momentum for the Pioneers as they progress through the early portion of the beach volleyball season.

 

Wayland Baptist 3, Oklahoma Wesleyan 2

1. Taisiia Kalchenko / Deniz Yileri (WBU) def Maddy McKinney / Avery Forman (OKWU) 2-0 [21-12; 21-14]

2. Jordan Isabell / Sydney Collins (OKWU) def Selma Sutaj / Alaina Baran (WBU) 2-1 [21-16; 15-21; 15-11]

3. Averi Penner / Lilou Henry-Souquet-Bressand (WBU) def Clara Warren / Kaytlin Sowards (OKWU) 2-0 [21-19; 21-15]

4. Frida Espeseth / Milena Alliot-Maslankiewicz (WBU) def Emma Stubbs / Valeria Perez (OKWU) 2-1 [21-18; 19-21; 8-15]

5. Luiza Valentim / Carlee Heidebrecht (WBU) def Gracie Layton / Annaliese Schonauer(OKWU) 2-0 [21-8; 21-10]

       6. Jaylea Laughlin / Amanda Schaffner (OKWU) def Jordan Schlageter / Davanee McKinney (WBU) 2-1 [21-10; 18-21; 15-8]
 

Wayland Baptist 4, Texas Wesleyan 1

1. Chloe Culver / Loes Peijnenburg (TxW) def Taisiia Kalchenko / Deniz Yileri (WBU) 2-1 [21-17; 21-18; 15-11]

2. Selma Sutaj / Alaina Baran (WBU) def Eduardo Portes / Kali Liva (TxW) 2-1 [21-16; 17-21; 15-7]

3. Averi Penner / Lilou Henry-Souquet-Bressand (WBU) def Reagan Fitzsimmons / Amber Smart (TxW) 2-0 [21-19; 21-18]

4. Frida Espeseth / Milena Alliot-Maslankiewicz (WBU) def Jolee Van Dyke / Audrey Rogers (TxW) 2-1 [21-13; 18-21; 15-11]

5. Luiza Valentim / Carlee Heidebrecht (WBU) def Sydney Alexander / Hope Miller 2-1 [19-21; 21-13; 15-13]

       6. Jordan Schlageter / Davanee McKinney (WBU) def Mayara Swillens / Lillian Breaux 2-0 [21-10; 21-14]