MARSHALL, MO: The Texas Wesleyan University volleyball team (8-1) posted two wins over Missouri Valley College (3-1) and Graceland University (1-3) on the final day of the Viking Invitational on Saturday. The Lady Rams topped the Vikings 3-1 (25-16, 31-29, 23-25, 25-19) and the Yellowjackets 3-2 (20-25, 27-25, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12).

The Rams went 4-0 in the tournament and have ripped off seven consecutive victories since their lone loss against Our Lady of the Lake University.  Shelby Stinnett was named to the All-Invitational team.  Eight individuals were selected.  Stinnett led the Lady Rams with 72 kills (4.5/g) while hitting .249.
 
The Lady Rams squared off against the host Missouri Valley College Vikings in the early game of the day. The two teams played evenly through the first set, as Wesleyan held a slight edge 12-9 on a Starnisha Bodie kill. The Vikings came back and tied the first set at 14-14 before the Rams rallied with a 6-0 run highlighted by back-to-back kills from Abby Zipoy to make it a 20-14 game. The Viking could never recover as Shelby Stinnett pelted the defense with kills to give Wesleyan a 25-16 win.
 
The Lady Rams held a slight 5-4 advantage to start the second set on a Mary Trejo service ace. The Vikings bounced out to 17-13 lead to take control of the set, but TWU went on a 7-3 run capped by Stinnet kill to tie the set at 20 apiece. The two teams volleyed the lead into extra points and a Viking ace gave MVC set point at 26-25. Zipoy and the Rams tied the game in the next play as neither team could box out the other. The score was tied once again at 29-29 before a Missouri Valley error and an Alanna Hayhurst kill made it a 31-29 win in favor of Texas Wesleyan in a set that boasted 24 ties.
 
The Rams felt the sting of some error woes to start the third set and gave the Vikings a chance to build a 6-0 lead. Missouri Valley kept the pressure on, building a 12-3 advantage. The Lady Rams made a furious come from behind attempt, outscoring their opponent 13-6 including three unanswered at set point to cut a nine point deficit to 24-23 capped by another strong Stinnett kill. The Vikings took a timeout to regroup and finished the set with a 25-23 win to make a 2-1 match.
 
The fourth set was tied at 6-6 before Wesleyan posted a 7-1 that included four straight kills from three different Lady Rams to take a 13-7 lead. Texas Wesleyan managed the game, keeping the opposition at bay for the entire set. A Kiersten Mebane kill gave the Rams match point at 24-19 before Stinnett closed things out for the Rams to take a 3-1 match win.
 
Stinnett had 21 kills and 12 digs. Zipoy added 15 kills and 18 digs. Gafford finished with 48 assists and 11 digs. Hearn took down 28 digs in the match.
 
The Lady Rams won a very close thriller over Graceland University. The Lady Rams won the match 3-2 and the Yellowjackets scored at least 25 points in three sets. The Lady Rams edged Graceland in the fifth set 15-12. Stinnett posted 22 kills and 18 digs. Zipoy had 12 kills and 16 digs. Gafford tacked 47 assists. Hearn notched 36 digs in the win.
 
The Lady Rams will take on Dallas Baptist University on Tuesday, September 1 starting at 7:00 pm at the Sid Richardson Center.