FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University volleyball team (12-12, 4-2 SAC) took a loss to No.21 Wayland Baptist University (18-3, 4-1 SAC) in three sets (25-17, 25-20, 25-18) at the Sid Richardson Center on Friday night.

The Pioneers came in the match knowing the Lady Rams were not to be taken lightly, as Wayland Baptist played smart volleyball minimizing the mistakes. The first set was close for a spell, though the Lady Rams never led, an Abigail Zipoy kill made it a 13-11deficit to keep the lead within reach. Wayland tightened up the defense, allowing only six points to take a 25-17 first set.

Texas Wesleyan grabbed an early 3-1 lead on a Katherine Rosenbusch kill. The two teams battled for possession of the lead midway through the set, with multiple long volleys to spur the crowd to a roar. A Rosenbusch kill gave to Rams a slight 12-10 advantage, but the tide slowly turned. A Cindy Horn kill tied the set at 12-12, and a Claire Jacobsma kill gave the Pioneers a 17-14 lead. Wesleyan battled back to get within one point on a Starnisha Bodie kill at 18-17, but a disciplined Pioneer team closed the set out to take a 25-20 second set.

Wayland Baptist spared no time in racking up a lead in the third set, going on a 10-4 run to start, capped by a Chelsey Driskill kill. A Grecia Rivera ace made it a 10-point game at 18-8, before the Lady Rams rattled off a 5-0 run capped by a Meghan Finley kill. Texas Wesleyan closed the gap to make it respectable, but the Pioneers shut the door on any upset with a 25-18 third set to take the match win.

Rosenbusch led the Lady Rams with 11 kills. Alex Hendee posted 13 digs and nine kills in the match. Lauren Hamaker notched 14 assists. Lauren Hutchinson earned 19 digs in the effort.

The Lady Rams will travel to Shawnee, OK to play St. Gregory's University on Tuesday, October 8. First serve is set for 7:00 pm.