WAXAHACHIE, Texas – The Texas Wesleyan Volleyball team (18-7, 13-3 SAC) further separated themselves atop the SAC standings after winning a 3-1 (31-29, 21-25, 27-25, 30-28) bout at Southwestern Assemblies of God University (18-8, 11-5 SAC).
 
The Lions had payback on the mind in a late season grudge match, but the Lady Rams held strong on Tuesday night. Texas Wesleyan needed extra points in all three of the sets the team won to put away the Lions.
 
TXWES managed to dispel the Lions and the rowdy home crowd, just out-hitting SAGU .168 to .132.
 
The first set was tied a whopping 21 times, and the Lions found a favorable 24-21 lead heading toward an opening frame win. The resilient Rams had other plans. A Chastiny Brown block led to a kill by the senior in the next play before a SAGU attacking error tied the game in flash. The two teams went back and forth before an Ashley Curry kill and a Brenda Pargas ace lifted TXWES to the 31-29 win.
 
The second set proved in favor of the Lions, but it would be the only set the home team would manage to win.
 
In the third set, the Lions battled back from 24-21 to tie the match after a 4-0 rally. Two consecutive kills from Ariana Alvarado finished the set and put the Rams up 2-1
 
The fourth set was much of the same with both teams throwing haymakers, trying to out-do the other. A 5-0 rally put SAGU up 15-10, and kept the lead late into the set at 22-19. The Lady Rams battled back with block and kill from Brittni Mohle to tie the set at 22. TXWES held a 1-point edge at 25-24 before SAGU flipped the script. This process happened two more times before three straight points – highlighted by a Morgan Burns ace and a Veronika Webb block lifted the Lady Rams to victory.
 
Alvarado posted a season high 17 kills in the win. She now leads the team with 2.89 kills per set. Chastiny Brown matched her season high with 14 kills, a mark she has hit four times in 2019. She leads the team hitting .291. Webb set a season high three solo blocks. Morgan Burns set a season-high in assists with 23.
 
Three players posted double digits in digs. Madison Lopez (25), Tatemn Brown (12), and Brenda Pargas (10). Pargas notched her third double-double of the season tacking on 28 assists in the win.
 
The Lady Rams make its last home stand of the regular season, starting on Friday, Nov. 1 versus Oklahoma Panhandle State at 7 p.m. The team celebrates Senior Day on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. against Wayland Baptist.