FORT WORTH — Texas Wesleyan (3-4) fell in both matches on day two of the Texas Two Step. They lost to McPherson (8-1) 3-0 and fell to Lindsey Wilson (7-1) in 3-1.
Game One
The first set began with Texas Wesleyan taking an early lead, highlighted by Shelby Martin's kill from Lillian Breaux at 0-0. The Rams maintained momentum as Hanna Rubis also scored off an assist from Breaux, pushing the score to 2-0. However, McPherson quickly responded, capitalizing on several attack errors to regain the lead, and a service ace by Tabor Scanlon extended their advantage to 10-7. Texas Wesleyan called a timeout at 12-8 to regroup after the Bulldogs' scoring streak. A late attempt by the Rams to close the gap saw Sydney Alexander and Madison Grekstas contributing with crucial kills, but McPherson secured the set with a 25-20 win.
The second set began with Texas Wesleyan taking an early lead at 3-1, highlighted by an attack error from McPherson's April Conilogue and a kill by Martin, assisted by Breaux. The Bulldogs responded with a 4-0 run, capped by a service ace from Celestina Retumban, to take a 5-3 lead. Texas Wesleyan fought back to tie the score at 9-9 with a service ace from Vanya Palmeros and a block by Alexander and Victoria Smith. Despite a late timeout by the Rams at 23-18 to halt McPherson's momentum, the set concluded at 25-19 in favor of the Bulldogs, with Rubis contributing with key kills assisted by Ruby Rumohr and Palmeros.
The third set began with Smith securing the first point for Texas Wesleyan with a kill from an assist by Emily Lewis. The Rams quickly took a 4-1 lead, highlighted by kills from Alexander and Rubis. However, McPherson responded with a strong 11-3 run, capitalizing on a few errors and effective blocks, leading to a 12-7 advantage. Despite a service ace streak from Rumohr that narrowed the gap to 18-13, the Bulldogs maintained their lead and closed the set 25-17, with Georgia Brell contributing significantly to their scoring.
Rubis led Texas Wesleyan with eight kills on 20 attempts, achieving a .350 hitting percentage. Rumohr contributed significantly with 10 assists and four service aces, the latter being a team highlight. Sapphyre McBride made an impact with a perfect hitting percentage, recording one kill on one attempt. Alexander also contributed with five kills and was a key player at the net, achieving two total blocks.
Game Two
The first set opened with Victoria Smith securing an early point for Texas Wesleyan with a kill, establishing a quick lead. The Rams maintained a steady pace, with notable contributions from Hanna Rubis and Migdaly Bernal, pushing the team ahead to a 6-4 advantage. Despite a strong start, Lindsey Wilson surged back with a 5-point run from 11-12 to 17-12, prompting the Rams to call a timeout at 15-12 and again at 20-14 to regroup. The set concluded with the Rams attempting a comeback, closing the gap to 23-19, highlighted by consecutive kills from Madison Grekstas and Smith, before Lindsey Wilson secured the set at 25-19.
The second set commenced with a dynamic exchange of points, as both teams kept the score tight. The Rams' Bernal contributed significantly with multiple kills, including a pivotal one at 17-18, assisted by Vanya Palmeros. After trailing 14-10, Texas Wesleyan mounted a comeback, highlighted by three consecutive points to tie the game at 15-15. Despite a timeout at 23-21, the Rams' efforts to seize the set fell short, concluding at 25-23 in favor of Lindsey Wilson.
The third set began with Smith making an early impact by scoring the first point with a kill assisted by Ruby Rumohr. The team continued to exert pressure with an ace from Emily Lewis, contributing to a 2-0 lead. Despite some back-and-forth scoring, the Rams found themselves in a tight contest until a strategic timeout was called when Lindsey Wilson led 12-9. Post timeout, the Rams responded with a strong rally, highlighted by Smith's consecutive kills tying the score at 20-20. The set concluded positively for Texas Wesleyan as they pulled ahead to close the set 25-21, with Lewis securing a service ace and Rubis delivering the final kill.
The Rams started the fourth set with a quick response from Lyric Biggiers, whose kill leveled the score at 1-1 after an initial attack error. Smith and Rubis made significant contributions, with Smith's kill at 12-9 breaking a scoring streak from Lindsey Wilson after a timeout. Despite a service ace from Lillian Breaux narrowing the gap to 13-11, and a late surge with kills from Smith and Biggiers bringing the score to 22-20, the Rams fell short with a final score of 21-25. The set featured strategic timeouts by both teams to manage scoring runs and maintain momentum.
Smith led the Rams' attack with 13 kills and posted a .300 hitting percentage, contributing significantly to the team's offense with 14 total points. Rumohr facilitated the attack with 23 assists, while also adding 10 digs and one service ace. Rubis was a key defensive presence, tallying four total blocks, including two solo, while also recording nine kills and 12 points. Lewis contributed to the defensive efforts with 14 digs and added seven assists and two service aces.
The other matches during day two of the Texas Two Step went as follows.
1st match
Lindsey Wilson (6-1) triumphed over Rochester Christian (4-3) in a hard-fought volleyball match, winning 3-1 with set scores of 25-22, 20-25, 25-19, and 25-20. The Blue Raiders displayed a balanced offensive and defensive effort, led by Ola Wyrzykowska's standout performance of 15 kills and 17 digs. Ana Clara Beltran Sacca added 13 points, including two blocks, while Petra Fernandez Garcia contributed 12.5 points. Lindsey Wilson's third set was decisive, hitting an impressive .385 with 15 kills, which swung momentum after Rochester Christian claimed the second set.
Rochester Christian showed resilience, with Kourtney Mack leading the charge with 14 points, including 12 kills at a .344 hitting percentage. Alivia Everitt and Chante Hudgins each recorded 10 kills, with Everitt adding five block assists. Despite a strong .231 hitting percentage in the second and third sets, the Warriors were hampered by 10 service errors, which disrupted their rhythm.
3rd match
Texas A&M-Texarkana (10-1) was victorious over Kansas Wesleyan (3-3) in a thrilling four set match, wining 3-1 with scores of 20-25, 25-13, 25-18, and 25-20. The Eagles were led by a stellar offensive performance from Paulina Dobreva who had 17 kills. Kaitlyn Cabral added 14 kills as well to aid the offensive attack. Lauren Herz had 17 digs with Dobreva right behind her with 16 digs of her own. After dropping the first set, the Eagles took control of the match and won three sets in a row.
Kansas Wesleyan fought well with Rylee Serpan leading the charge with 16 kills with Kylee Harris and Kate Bebout each adding seven kills each. Tristyn Hedman helped defensively with 15 digs to help the Coyotes' attatck.
4th match
McPherson College (8-1) triumphed over Texas A&M-Texarkana (10-2) in straight sets with scores of 25-16, 25-22, and 25-16. The Bulldogs had 42 kills in their three-set win, Brooke McHale led the charge with 17 and added five digs as well. Not only did the Bulldogs have a strong offense, but they played a clean and precise game with only seven errors compared to the Eagles 24. The Bulldogs won in straight sets in both matches and go 4-0 in the Texas Two Step.
The Eagles, although losing, showed resilience with Kaitlyn Cabral leading the way with 13 kills, and Ashley Rhame helped pick up the defense with 10 digs. The Eagles go 2-2 in the tournament after defeating Huston Tillotson and Kansas Wesleyan.
The Rams finish the Texas Two Step 2-2 headed into conference play. they'll face off with Southwestern Christian on September 5 at 6pm in Bethany, OK.
