FORT WORTH, TX: The (RV) Texas Wesleyan University (13-2) bounced back with a 3-1 win over former conference rival (RV) Our Lady of the Lake University (7-3) at the Sid Richardson Center on Saturday.
 
Texas Wesleyan had a two match losing skid coming into this match, falling at St. Gregory's before dropping the home opener last night against Wayland Baptist.  "We needed that win to put us back on track heading into the second week of conference matches, OLLU has a great team," said head coach Kimberly Weaver after the match. The Lady Rams won 12 straight matches to start the season, including a non-conference match at Wayland Baptist.
 
Coach Weaver also talked about the upper classmen players bouncing back after two tough losses. "Carli Owens and Chalon Anderson both provide sparks for our defense and I was very proud of Shelby Stinnett and Alanna Hayhurst coming out refocused today after struggling last night," Weaver commented.
 
The Saints and Lady Rams were knotted up 13 times in the first set, neither team enjoyed more than a two-point lead until a 3-0 run that including a pair of Hayhurst service aces gave Wesleyan a 25-21 win.
 
The Saints showed why they are a dangerous team in the second set, exploding out to an 18-8 advantage after a pelting of points from Raven Swain and Kendall Groff. Leilani Smith got in on the action with three consecutive kills to make it a 23-13 lead before taking the set, 25-16.
 
In the all-important third set, the Lady Rams expanded their offense a little more, earning a 10-5 edge on a slick Sasha Robinson kill from the setting position. The Saints kept the game within reach but could not stop the Ram offense from maintaining momentum. Ariel Emory came on in relief and immediately beat the OLLU defense to cap a 5-0 rally and a 15-7 lead. Brianna Jaramillo threw down a gym rattling kill as Robinson and Jaramillo targeted the middle of the defense early and often, making it a 22-12 lead. The Saints outscored the Rams 5-2 in the last seven, but Wesleyan took the third set, 25-17.
 
Once again the Saints charged through the gate in the fourth, posting an 11-5 lead on a Raven Swain kill. OLLU kept the pressure on and led by as many as eight at 16-8 on the way to force a fifth set, but the Lady Rams had different plans. Britni Mohle shifted the energy, hitting on three kills in a span of six points, and Jaramillo blasted one down to cut the lead to 18-14. Texas Wesleyan kept the rhythm going and outscored their opponent 8-4 and tied the set 22 apiece on a Stinnett kill. Stinnett and Mohle scored the last two on thundering kills to win the match 3-1 with a 25-23 fourth set win.
 
There was no doubt that the younger players stepped up when needed in this match and Weaver touted her freshman and sophomores who made an impact in the win, "Sasha has been a great addition to our program, she brings consistent energy and is a great decision maker. Ariel made some really big plays and was poised in high pressure situations. We have been waiting for Brittni to have a break out match and I really think this was it. Brianna's execution has been phenomenal all season…excited to see what she can accomplish as we get deeper into conference play."
 
Jaramillo posted a line of 12 kills, two errors, on 19 attempts, hitting at a .526 clip. Stinnet notched a double-double with 11 kills and 10 digs, as did Robinson with 35 assists and 16 digs. Anderson led all players with 18 digs. Mohle posted a line of eight kills, no errors, on 12 attempts for a .667 hitting percentage in an incredibly efficient match. Owens had 3.5 total block in the win.
 
The Lady Rams will travel to Bethany, OK for a meeting with Southwestern Christian University on Tuesday, September 13 starting at 7:00 pm.