FORT WORTH, Texas – No. 19 Texas Wesleyan looks to keep their win streak alive as it hosts cross-town rival No. 23 Southwestern Assemblies of God (SAGU) tonight at 6 p.m. inside of the Sid Richardson center.
 
The Rams are coming off a road stint where they secured wins over John Brown University (3-0) and Oklahoma City university (3-1). The Rams have been battled tested early with matches against ranked opponents and took down the previous NAIA National Champions and No. 1 ranked Jamestown University in straight sets. The Rams have been on an eight-game winning streak and are looking for another win tonight in front of their home crowd. They are entering the match with an 11-3, 6-0 in conference.
 
The next test comes against a team the Rams know all too well in the SAGU Lions from Waxahachie, TX. The Lions enter the match with a 9-5 record, 6-0 in conference and are coming off a win against John Brown University. They are looking to stay perfect by defeating a very good opponent in Texas Wesleyan.
 
This will be the programs 51^st all-time meeting, where Wesleyan holds a 36-14 record, however the Lions have claimed the last 3-straight victories over the Rams. In 2021 the Rams took home the SAC Regular season crown defeating SAGU twice in the regular season. The Rams would fall in the semis and SAGU would go on to win the SAC Tournament. In 2022, the then undefeated Lions would get revenge by winning all three matches against the Rams and bring home both the regular SAC season title and the SAC Tournament Championship for the second time in a row while the Rams were runner-ups.
 
The Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) unveiled its 2023 Volleyball preseason poll earlier this season and SAGU was selected as the preseason favorite with Wesleyan closely behind as runners-up. On paper the Rams edge out their opponents in nearly every statistically field, but not by much. Both teams enter tonight's match hitting .173 on the season, averaging about 12 kills per set. Texas Wesleyan has posted 569 assists on the season, whereas the Lions have had 570 assists. The Rams lead in digs averaging 19.5 per set while SAGU has a percentage of 16.9. The Lions also edge out the Rams in blocks with 2.3 a set with to their 1.9.
 
 In this battle the 287, the stakes are higher than ever. These two teams currently sit alone at the top as the best teams in the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC). Just 24 miles down the road separate the schools, and whoever wins this game is poised to bring home the SAC Regular Season Championship.
 
 
Tonight's match kicks off at 6 p.m. inside of the Sid Richardson Center. There will be a designated side for visitors and home spectators and tickets will $10 at the door. With a s student an I.D. Texas Wesleyan students can attend the game for free.