SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- On a night dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the research of a breast cancer cure, Wayland Baptist (13-13, 5-3 SAC) came into Bill George Arena and made quick work of John Brown (18-11, 1-6 SAC), downing the Golden Eagles in straight sets, 3-0 (24-26, 23-25, 18-25).
JBU and Wayland Baptist battled back and forth in the first set. John Brown notched a late one-point lead (24-23) after Staci Williamson landed a pair of kills. Coming out of a timeout, the Pioneers managed to score three consecutive points to take the first set, 26-24.
The Golden Eagles, undeterred by its narrow loss in the previous set, opened a five-point advantage after an Audrey Dearien ace and a Pioneer attack error vaulted JBU to an 18-13 advantage.
The Pioneers came storming back, stringing together a 7-2 run, knotting the score at 20. After trading points, both teams were tied 22-22 before Wayland Baptist called another timely time out. After the break, WBU put John Brown away in the second set, scoring three of the next four points.
The third set was all Pioneers as the visitors engineered an 11-5 streak that quickly ended any thoughts JBU had at a comeback attempt. Wayland Baptist hit an incredible .417 percent in the third frame, putting the Golden Eagles away 25-18 and completing the sweep.
No Golden Eagle was able to reach double-digit kills in the loss. Dearien led JBU with nine kills while both Libby Blasingame and Williamson added seven each. Middle blocker Erin McIlroy notched eight kills and three block assists.
Kailey Bain distributed the ball well tonight, netting 33 assists. Becca Young turned in a solid defensive effort, finishing the evening with 14 digs, a team high.
John Brown will look to take its first Sooner Athletic Conference game against a Texas opponent tomorrow afternoon (Oct. 20) when it hosts Lubbock Christian (Texas) in a 1:00 p.m. match.
