Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 FORT WORTH - Texas Wesleyan (3-2) won both matches in day one of the Texas Two Step. The Rams faced off with the Coyotes of Kansas Wesleyan (2-2) and the Valor of Evangel (5-1), winning both matches in four sets.

Game One

The first set saw Texas Wesleyan secure a 25-22 victory, bolstered by a crucial 6-0 run initiated with a kill by Migdaly Bernal at 4-4 and extending to a 10-6 lead. Ruby Rumohr orchestrated the offense efficiently, providing key assists during this stretch. A strategic timeout by Kansas Wesleyan at 10-6 aimed to disrupt the momentum, but the Rams responded with a series of kills, including three from Hanna Rubis, to maintain their advantage. Despite a late rally from the Coyotes tying the score at 14, the Rams pulled away for the win, with Sydney Alexander sealing the set with a decisive kill.

Texas Wesleyan opened the second set with a kill by Alexander, setting a competitive tone early on. The team took advantage of multiple attack errors from Kansas Wesleyan to build a lead, highlighted by a blocking sequence from Vanya Palmeros and Alexander that extended their advantage to 16-12, prompting a timeout by the Coyotes. Notably, Bernal's service ace and consistent setup play from Lillian Breaux helped the Rams maintain momentum, ultimately closing the set with a service ace from Alexandria Lee, securing a 25-21 victory.

The Rams started the third set strong with a 4-0 run, highlighted by Rumohr's service ace at the beginning of the set. The match remained competitive, with Alexander and Shelby Martin contributing key kills to keep the team ahead at key points. However, a series of errors allowed Kansas Wesleyan to recover and take the lead, prompting a strategic timeout by Texas Wesleyan at 17-17. Despite efforts to regain momentum, including a kill by Bernal, the Coyotes closed the set on a 5-1 run to secure a 25-20 victory.

Texas Wesleyan began the fourth set with a strong offensive showing, highlighted by a 6-0 run initiated by Bernal's kill, assisted by Breaux at 2-1, and featuring key contributions from Victoria Smith, Alexander, and Rumohr. The team maintained momentum with Bernal delivering two consecutive service aces, extending the lead to 12-4, prompting a timeout from Kansas Wesleyan. Despite a brief scoring burst from the opposition, the Rams closed the set with a kill from Rubis, assisted by Rumohr, securing a 25-16 victory.

Alexander led Texas Wesleyan with a standout performance, recording 13 kills on 25 attempts with a .440 hitting percentage and contributing significantly on defense with eight blocks, totaling 17.5 points. Rumohr demonstrated efficiency with a perfect hitting percentage, tallying two kills on two attempts while adding 22 assists and 13 digs. Neeley Rutledge excelled defensively, notching a team-high 21 digs and contributing four assists. Bernal supported the team with eight kills, 11 digs, and three service aces, totaling 11.5 points.

Game Two

Texas Wesleyan started strong in the first set, with Migdaly Bernal and Victoria Smith contributing early kills that helped establish a 3-0 lead. Following a brief scoring run by Evangel to tie the game at 5-5, the Rams regained the lead with a series of points, including another crucial kill by Bernal at 12-8. Despite a late rally from the Valor that brought them within a point at 19-18, the Rams' Lillian Breaux delivered a service ace, and Bernal sealed the set with a final kill, securing a 25-21 victory.

The second set began with the Rams trailing as Evangel took an early 4-1 lead. Madison Grekstas contributed with a kill from Emily Lewis at 2-1, while Sydney Alexander and Bernal each added crucial points to keep the Rams competitive. Despite Evangel extending their lead to 14-9, the Rams regrouped, calling a timeout at 14-9 to halt Evangel's momentum. The Rams mounted a late rally, with Victoria Smith securing back-to-back kills and Vanya Palmeros delivering a service ace to bring the score to 24-20. However, the comeback fell short as Evangel clinched the set 25-21.

The third set began with a service ace from Bernal, setting an early tone for the Rams. The team showcased strong blocking, particularly with Hanna Rubis and Smith combining to stifle Evangel's attacks, contributing to a 4-1 lead. Despite Evangel taking a brief 14-12 lead with a series of service aces from Addison Allen, the Rams' timeout at 14-17 proved strategic, as they responded with a decisive 8-0 run, highlighted by multiple attack errors forced by the defensive efforts of Rubis and Shelby Martin, to secure a 25-17 victory. Bernal's consistent play was instrumental, notching several key kills and assists in the comeback.

The Rams opened the fourth set with a strong start, quickly building a 2-0 lead with kills from Bernal and Alexander, both set by Ruby Rumohr. Despite a series of service errors and attack errors allowing Evangel to tie the score multiple times, the Rams managed to regain momentum through key plays, including a service ace from Lewis and a block by Rubis and Martin at 19-15. As the set reached its climax, the Rams showcased resilience, with Smith and Lauran Richards contributing crucial kills during a tense back-and-forth exchange, eventually securing a 32-30 victory with a final service ace by Alexander to close the set.

Smith contributed significantly to the Rams' defense with a total of six blocks, adding 11 kills and 14 points. Rubis led the team in blocks with seven and was also productive on offense, recording 12 kills and a hitting percentage of .333, totaling 15.5 points. Lewis anchored the defense with 19 digs, while also contributing 10 assists from the back row. Alexander was efficient on offense with a .438 hitting percentage, tallying eight kills and two service aces, while also recording seven total blocks and 14 points.

There were also three other matches that took place on day one.
 

Rochester Christian (Mich.) secured a 3-1 victory over Louisiana Christian, with set scores of 23-25, 25-9, 25-13, and 25-11, improving their record to 4-1.

Rochester Christian dominated offensively with a .350 hitting percentage, led by Alivia Everitt's 18 points and Kendal Zeiter's 16 points, while Louisiana Christian struggled with a .038 hitting percentage and 31 errors.

Rochester Christian's strong performance included 59 digs, 10 service aces, and 7 blocks, overpowering Louisiana Christian's defense, despite Alanah Dugar's 18 points for the Wildcats.
 

Kansas Wesleyan dominated Rochester Christian (Mich.) in a 3-0 sweep, with set scores of 25-12, 25-19, and 25-17. Rochester Christian struggled offensively, posting a hitting percentage of just .063 with 29 kills and 23 errors on 95 attempts, while Kansas Wesleyan excelled with a .353 hitting percentage, led by Rylee Serpan's 15 kills on 20 attempts without an error.

Kansas Wesleyan outperformed Rochester Christian in key statistical categories, including 38 kills to 29, 6 service aces to 4, and 39 digs to 31. Despite efforts from Rochester Christian's Hailee Mancogna and Kendal Zeiter, who each recorded 8.5 points, Kansas Wesleyan's balanced attack and strong defense secured a decisive victory.
 

Evangel (Mo.) swept Huston-Tillotson 3-0, with set scores of 25-11, 25-19, and 25-22, maintaining their undefeated 5-0 record.

Huston-Tillotson struggled offensively with a -.108 hitting percentage, managing only 16 kills and 25 errors on 83 attempts, while Evangel recorded 34 kills and a .099 hitting percentage, led by Vivianna Sanchez's 9.5 points and Sharayah Seymour's efficient 6 kills on 9 attempts.

Evangel's superior defense, with 42 digs compared to Huston-Tillotson's 35, and key contributions from players like Cienna Turner and Bella Wakley, each with 8.5 points, secured their dominant victory.

The Rams continue their run in the Texas Two Step tomorrow with two matches against #11 McPherson and Lindsey Wilson.