(DURANT, Okla.) – On the opening day of the South Central Classic, Texas Woman's University split its matches with a 3-0 loss to the University of Central Oklahoma (4-2) and a 3-0 win over Southern Nazarene University (2-4).
TWU 0, UCO 3
Coming off a three-game winning streak from last weekend, TWU sputtered on offense, hitting just .174 against UCO. Senior Makayla Mayfield led the Pioneer attack in the first set with a five kills and no errors. TWU jumped out 4-0 with junior Katy Ranes on serve and maintained the lead until UCO's Malia Kaaiohelo landed a kill to tie the game at seven. The lead changed four more times until UCO broke away for four straight points at 17-13. A kill from Mayfield off a Ranes assist brought the Pioneers to within one at 21-20. But errors troubled TWU as the Bronchos took game one, 25-21.
In set two, TWU's offense was more spread out with Maggie Pyles, Courtney Noel and Taylor Frederick finding success. But after an opening kill from Pyles to give TWU a 1-0 start, the Pioneers could not catch up. Frederick managed to end UCO's seven-point run at 16-8 but a combination of a powerful Broncho attack and Pioneer errors gave UCO the 25-15 edge.
The Pioneers fought hard in the third set and found their rhythm as the score was close throughout. With UCO trying to pull away at 15-12, a TWU timeout and a Frederick kill ended that run. TWU used a strong presence from Trixie Oche, who had a game-high five blocks, as she blocked UCO's Jordan Spence to even the score at 19. A gritty effort from the Pioneers forced UCO to commit errors and TWU had set points at 24-23 and 25-24. After a kill from Haley Deschenes, UCO use a pair of TWU errors to finish out the set 27-25 for the sweep.
"I think Makayla (Mayfield) showed great senior leadership against a top 25 opponent," Head Coach Jeff Heubner said. "She came out of the gate really hot and hit .455 in the first set. Her and Maggie (Pyles) provided really good leadership and kept us in the match the whole way. I think Trixie Oche played her best match as a Pioneer and we are looking forward to seeing her continue to grow."
Mayfield recorded a double-double with 11 kills and 13 digs. Pyles had 10 kills and Ranes recorded a game-high 32 assists.
TWU 3, SNU 0
Down 11-9 in the opening set, TWU ran off five straight points led on offense by Pyles and on defense by Oche to give the Pioneers a lead they didn't relinquish. Back-to-back kills from Mayfield gave TWU the first set, 25-21.
"Once we got that momentum going, we were in control the rest of the set," Huebner said. "Makayla Mayfield and Courtney Noel were great on the court for us."
The Pioneers played a clean second set with all of their hitters finding their stride and tallying a .333 team hitting percentage. Oche had four blocks in this set and helped TWU stretch its lead to ten points three different times before winning 25-14.
Although never trailing in set three, TWU had to fight off SNU until finally notching a 25-21 win and the sweep. With SNU missing on the attack and Pyles, Frederick and Courtney Noel getting timely kills, the Pioneers got back in the win column.
"It was really back and forth and this match was ugly and scrappy at times," Huebner said. "Southern Nazarene makes you work hard and they can really move the ball around. I was impressed with the play from Makayla (Mayfield), Trixie (Oche) and Katy (Ranes)."
For the second straight game, Oche led all players with five blocks. Junior Bailey French was the game leader in digs with 17 and Mayfield recorded a game-high 12 kills.
TWU will face East Central (0-6) at noon tomorrow followed by the tournament host Southeastern Oklahoma State (3-3) at 7 p.m.
