FORT WORTH, TX: The Texas Wesleyan University volleyball team (23-4, 10-4 SAC) went 3-1 (21-25, 25-20, 25-16, 25-14) in a win against John Brown University (15-11, 6-7 SAC) at the Sid Richardson Center on Friday night.
 
The Golden Eagles came out strong to start, grabbing a 7-2 lead on a few salty defensive plays. The Lady Rams were able to recover with an 11-6 run to even the set at 13 apiece capped by a Jaramillo front row smash. John Brown kept fighting and leaked out a small advantage and used that to take a 25-21 win.
 
The second set was very close as the Lady Rams held a one-point edge nearly the entire way. The two teams went shot for shot until a quick burst of Ram offense made it an 18-15 lead. Shelby Stinnett and Carli Owens went back-to-back with kills before a JBU error gave Texas Wesleyan a 25-20 win to even the match.
 
Wesleyan took control in the third set, galloping out to a 19-9 lead after a 10-0 rally capped by an Alanna Hayhurst smash. Hayhurst and Jaramillo later teamed up on a block for a 20-12 advantage. Stinnett ended the set with a kill for a 25-16 win.
 
The fourth set was tightly contested again to start, until a 10-3 run in favor of the Lady Rams made it a 16-9 game after a Sasha Robinson ace. Hayhurst and Brittni Mohle owned the set, racking up 15 kills between them on the way to a 25-14 win.
 
"We had to overcome a slow start," commented head coach Kimberly Weaver. "The last three sets were a much better picture of what we are capable of as a team. Alanna Hayhurst had a huge night. Sasha Robinson and Brianna Jaramillo also made contributions for us in a big win."
 
For Robinson, it was a career night. The sophomore from Ozark, MO posted a career high in kills with seven and assists with 48. She also tallied her 18th double-double of the season in the win. When Robinson was asked what the motivation behind her success has been, the TXWES setter replied, "This summer I was working a volleyball camp and heard (one of the coaches) say "Always do your best to make each ball one percent better that the last." That has stuck in my head and that's how I try to play every game, continuously getting better for my team. I just really love my "RAMily" and the atmosphere I am surrounded by. That makes me want to work even harder for them. Volleyball has been my number one passion for 13 years and I will continue to give it my all with every opportunity I get."
 
Hayhurst led the Lady Rams behind 16 no-doubters and 19 digs. Jaramillo added 13 kills and six total blocks. Stinnett tallied 10 kills and seven digs. Chalon Anderson kept the offense alive with 27 digs.
 
The Lady Rams will take on Ram volleyball alum Mari Rangel and Bacone College tomorrow starting at 1:00pm at the Sid Richardson Center.