Box Score The Rams suffered their first conference loss this season to #10 SAGU 25-20, 25-21, 21-25, 25-19.
It was the battle of the undefeated volleyball teams at the Sid Richardson Center as Texas Wesleyan and SAGU came into the match undefeated in SAC play. The Lions came into the game ranked #10 in the latest polls, while Texas Wesleyan stood at #24, but it was the Rams who had the most recent win when the two teams met last November.
The Texas Wesleyan faithful came out to support the Rams, but SAGU's rabid fans helped the Lions to an 18-10 lead in the first set before the Rams were able to find their footing on the attack. The Rams came within striking distance to cut SAGU's lead to 20-17 before the Lions jumped out to 22-17. A
Ruby O'Brien kill followed by an O'Brien service ace put the Rams back in the game at 22-20, but SAGU's front line proved lethal for the Rams in the first set with a 25-20 win. SAGU had 13 kills in the first set to Texas Wesleyan's 10, but the Rams were still able to tie the score six times.
In set two, the Rams again kept the score close but were only able to take the lead in the early minutes of the game. Again, SAGU had the heavy hand with 15 kills to the Rams' 10, but in set three the momentum, and the numbers changed. Texas Wesleyan out-hit the Lions with 14 kills to eight. The Rams also proved more effective with the block in the third set, slowing down the Lions' attack, which led to a third set Ram advantage.
SAGU did tie the score seven times in the third set, but a kill from
Grace Pavelka put the Rams ahead 21-20. After that, it was
Carly Unruh and
Ruby O'Brien who finished the set for the Rams with Unruh providing two of her 15 kills during the third set and a solo block, while O'Brien had a service ace and two of her 36 assists in the game. The Rams won 25-21.
In the fourth set, the Rams were able to tie the set twice, but the Lions led throughout, taking the lead in the Sooner Athletic Conference with a 25-19 fourth set win for a 3-1 match win.
Unruh led the Rams with 13 kills in the match and six blocks, including one solo block. O'Brien had 36 assists for the game and 10 digs. Malek had 25 digs.
Overall, the Rams were able to outblock SAGU 10 to 8, but the Lions still outhit the Rams 52-45. The loss drops Texas Wesleyan to 8-1 in SAC play and 14-3 overall, while SAGU remains undefeated at 17-0 overall and 9-0 in conference play.
The Rams are home again Saturday, Oct. 1, when they host John Brown University for a 1 p.m. match. John Brown comes into the match at 12-3 overall and 7-1 in conference. They will face #10 SAGU in Waxahachie on Friday before they face the #24 Rams on Saturday.
