Behind the impressive tandem of outside hitter Nyia Anderson and middle blocker Veronika Webb, Texas Wesleyan University took three games, 25-14, 25-9 and 25-17, in a 3-0 sweep of visiting Arlington Baptist University on Sept. 29. It was the season debut for the Lady Rams.

Third year Rams head coach Jessica Ransom described the debut as, "a good effort considering we don't have a set lineup yet, and probably won't until we begin our conference games in early 2021." The unsettled Rams, who were 26-10 a year ago while finishing 17-3 in the Sooner Athletic Conference, second only to Oklahoma City (34-4 / 20-0), have six more dates this fall.

"We're working in some new players," added Ransom, "including two setters in (junior) Hannah Bokal and (freshman) Emily Brooks. I like this group and we'll only get better."

The Lady Rams (1-0) fell behind twice, 1-0 in the second set and 4-0 in the third, but quickly asserted themselves to take control the rest of the match. Tied 4-4 in the first they reeled off nine straight points to seize the upper-hand, 13-4, and extended it to 18-8. Similarly, they broke the next game open with seven-in-a-row to lead 11-3, then pushing it to 19-5.

ABU showed flashes of chemistry on the moonlit night, including four consecutive tallies to start the third before the hosts regrouped during a 14-0 run. They continued to distance themselves from the Patriots at 16-6 and then 21-8. Both teams, with every player seeing action, battled down the stretch. Arlington Baptist managed a 9-3 surge before the TXWES scored the final point to end what was a respectable season tune-up.

In game one, the Lady Rams earned an 11-5 advantage on strong net play by Anderson and Arianna Alvarado and sets by Brooks. The latter lifted a helper that Anderson crushed after approaching from the back row to detonate for a 19-10 lead. Malia Linton put the Pats away on a spike and a service ace by Brooks.

Game Two witnessed back-to-back aces from Brooks for a 9-3 lead. A Linton helper was hammered by Madison Little through the middle of the ABU defense to solidify the score at 13-3. Linton contributed a deftly place shot from the right-side that went along the length of the net and found found the floor for an 18-5 lead. Anderson was at outside hitter when Bokal bumped a pass her way. She drilled it for the game-point tally.

The final game had the Patriots jump on top, 4-0, with Rams coming to life on a power block by the senior middle Webb. McKayla Flowers blasted a set from Tatum Brown, and tallied again on a well-placed tip that followed a double-team block by Alvarado and Alejandra House for a 12-4 margin. On top 24-12 and needing a lone point to shut the door, ABU's Megan Ross served up five successive points, two of them for aces, before an attacking error iced the match for the Rams.

Wesleyan hit .315 during the night, led by Anderson's nine kills in 17 swings (.412). Three players had four kills each, Webb, Little and Alvarado. Brooks and Bokal had eight and seven assists respectively. Brooks and Gabriela Gracia-Badillo fired three of the team's 13 service aces. Brooks made 10 digs, four coming in both the first and third games.

TXWES is back in action at home on Oct. 16 when Southwestern Christian University (Okla.) comes to town.