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FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University volleyball team (9-13, 5-2 SAC) downed Oklahoma City University (13-9, 5-3 SAC) 3-1 (25-22, 21-25, 25-22, 25-22) at the Sid Richardson Center on Friday.
 
The Lady Rams got off to a scalding hot start in a 6-1 run that included a pair of Abigail Zipoy aces, and capped with a Shelby Stinnett kill. The Stars slowly crept their way back into the set, tying the game 11-11. A Bre Blackburn ace put the Rams up 14-11, before a 3-0 spurt capped by a Stinnett kill later in the set made it a 19-13 Wesleyan lead. The Stars outscored 8-3 to cut the score to 22-21. Texas Wesleyan held off the charge, ending the set 25-22 on a Zipoy ace.
 
The second set was close throughout. The score was tied eight times before a 4-1 run by Oklahoma City capped by a Meghan Irwin kill made it a 14-11 game. The Rams fought back and cut the lead to 19-18 on a Stinnett kill, but the Stars outscored Texas Wesleyan 6-2 from there to even the match at 1 apiece with a 25-21 win.
 
Wesleyan put up another furious start in the third set on a 6-1 run capped by a block by Lynsay Buell and Alex Hendee. The Rams extended the lead to 15-7, before a 4-0 run by the Stars the culminated in three consecutive team blocks cut the lead to 15-11. Wesleyan fought through the attack as Zipoy laced a big kill out of timeout to swing the momentum. The Rams kept a modest lead at 22-17 before the Stars dug their feet in and made a run at the lead. A 5-0 run capped by a Tori Leisure kill tied the game, 22-22. Meghan Finley quieted the road crowd with a smash that was too sharp to handle. Hendee followed that with a kill, before the two teamed up to build a brick wall with a block to end the set with a 3-0 run to win 25-22.
 
The Stars collected their offense and put up a three spot to start the fourth set. The Lady Rams fought back to tie the game 4-4, but Oklahoma City stayed in control playing smart, solid defense. The Rams had to fight to tie the game again at 9-9, and took advantage of a Star error to hold a slight 11-10 lead, their first of the set. A short 3-0 burst capped with a Stinnett ace made it a 13-10 lead. Oklahoma City answered right back with a 3-0 run on a pair of blocks to tie the game at 13-13. The score was tied four more times from there as both teams played extremely well. The Stars found a 20-17 lead, before Wesleyan battled back again with a 3-0 rally ending with a Stinnett kill to tie the game 20-20. A Kristina Gafford ace on the next play changed the tide in favor of the Lady Rams. Thought the Stars tied the game one more time at 22 all, Texas Wesleyan closed out strong with a Shaughnessy Hearn ace to set up match point. A Zipoy kill sealed the win, 25-22.
 
"I'm very proud of our team tonight," lauded head coach Kimberly Weaver after the win, "We were able to get a huge win against great team. The strong start really set the tone for the entire match. Shaughnessy Hearn led our defense, and we were able to continuously turn that into solid offense. Stinnett was a huge spark for us as well. I was very impressed with the on court leadership of Hendee, Hamaker, Buell, and Finley. Those girls want to win. We are looking for another great showing tomorrow. We are also thankful for the support of our fans, The Sid Richardson Center was rocking tonight!"
 
Stinnett led the charge with a double-double of 20 kills and 10 digs. Zipoy tallied a double-double with 11 kills and 13 digs, adding five aces. Finley hit 10 kills in the win. Hamaker notched a double-double with 20 assists and 10 digs. Hearn posted 25 digs. Gafford had 27 assists.

Ramblings
- The Lady Rams are now 6-3 all-time against Oklahoma City and have not lost a match to the Stars since 2008.

- Zipoy hit a season high with five aces.

- Hamaker scored a point in each point eligle category with a solo block, an ace, and a kill. She was the only player to do that tonight.

- Stinnett's 20 kills was a career best. She is also ranked 14th in nation with 39 aces.