DENTON, Texas (Sept. 7, 2023) – Kitty Magee Arena was the place to be on Thursday night, as the Texas Woman's volleyball team defeated Ouachita Baptist, 3-1, in front of a crowd of over 500 people.
 
TWU (3-2) recorded numerous highlights and generated the energy to ignite the loud crowd on their way to finishing with the victory over OBU (1-4) in their first game at home of the 2023 season.
 
The energy could be felt early on, as the Pioneers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead off a kill by Kaia Saylor and on back-to-back aces by Grace Reynolds. TWU's energy quickly translated to momentum, as the first set was defined by multiple long-standing scoring runs by the Pioneers. The longest scoring run of the first set for TWU was six, which TWU did twice in the opening set.
 
In their final 6-0 run, TWU built the set point situation, leading 24-19. Malia Viernes rocketed a kill off an assist from Kiana Reed to close set one with the win 25-20.
 
While the first set was all TWU, the second set flipped slightly, as the Pioneers could never find their groove. The Tigers took set two, 25-12, to tie the match at one set each.
 
Nevertheless, the second set was the jolt of electricity the Pioneers needed. Following the second set loss, TWU maintained their composure and worked to overcome an early set three deficit.
 
They matched the Tigers point-for-point for much of the beginning of the third set. The momentum shift began with a strong swing and powerful kill by Lexi Williams, which tied the set at 11 and set up the Pioneers to go on one of their trademark scoring runs of Thursday night's match.
 
Trailing 13-12, a kill from Cara Pool tied the game at 13 each. Pool's kill not only got the crowd on their feet, it also ignited a much-needed run for the Pioneers. Following Pool's point, the Pioneers would mount a 4-0 run to take the late advantage 17-13.
 
Then, the back-and-forth trading of points commenced again, but the Pioneers stayed collected and never backed down – working to be the tone setters the entire match.
 
An ace from Tori Woods set up set point for TWU and another detonating kill from Viernes closed the set for the Pioneers, 25-21.
 
The cheers from Viernes' kill carried the Pioneers into a dominate opening of set four. TWU allowed OBU to score just two points, before they jumped out to take a commanding 10-2 lead following an 9-0 run.
 
TWU's early run dictated the pace of play from then on in set four.
 
Saylor, who returned with a vengeance for the Pioneers after missing the opening weekend, recorded a kill, followed by two powerful back-to-back kills from Kady Hansen to give the Pioneers the 20-9 advantage.

After their 20th point, TWU would allow the Tigers to score just one more point in the set. Haley Mullaney served a difficult to handle ball, which caused the Tigers to misplay, giving TWU the 23-10 advantage.
 
Then, in storybook fashion, because she had led the Pioneers attack in the match, Saylor placed the final not one, but two exclamation points on the match to give TWU the set four win, 25-10, and their first home win of the season, 3-1.
 
Saylor led the offensive charge for the Pioneers with 18 kills and hit .500. Woods played solid on defense and offense for TWU, recording nine kills and 12 digs on the night. Hansen and Viernes also topped the Pioneer leader board with nine kills each and proved to be strong forces at the net, as Hansen recorded four block assists, and Viernes finished with two.
 
Luna França topped the match leader board with 27 digs, a season high.
 
Kiana Reed dominated at serving for the Pioneers', recording a career high three aces. Lastly, three Pioneers finished with double-digit assists — Lizzy Reed (16), Kiana Reed (15) and Grace Reynolds (13) guided the Pioneers to success.
 
The Pioneers continue play in the Denton Volleyfest tomorrow night in Kitty Magee Arena at 7 p.m. against Central Oklahoma.
 
Hear from TWU Head Coach Jeff Huebner following the win: https://youtu.be/45w56ksEzww.