FT. WORTH, Texas -- Despite sizable leads in the first and third sets, the John Brown University volleyball team fell in a three-set battle (21-25, 15-25, 26-28) to host Texas Wesleyan in the Sooner Athletic tournament semifinals on Friday evening (Nov. 15) inside the Sid Richardson Center.
Senior Taylor Golmen anchored the third-seeded Golden Eagle (17-15) attack, registering a team-high 11.0 points with nine kills (.500) and four block assists. Senior Erin Mullins contributed six kills at a .250 clip, while Savanna Riney added six kills and an ace.
Freshman Tess Burton passed out 16 helpers, and junior Emma DeSanti added 11 assists. Senior Julie Milligan tallied a match-high 18 digs and recorded four of JBU's five service aces.
Both offenses produced at a grim pace, with second-seeded Texas Wesleyan (24-8) posting a .138 hitting percentage (38-21-123) compared to JBU's .096 (29-18-114) and delivering 11 service aces to the Golden Eagles' five. The Rams also tallied nine total blocks, effectively limiting JBU's offensive efficiency.
In the opening set, the Golden Eagles started strong, trading points with Texas Wesleyan in a set that featured eight ties and four lead changes. JBU held a slim 21-19 lead after a Milligan service ace and a Wesleyan error, but the Rams responded with a 6-0 scoring run to take the set, 25-21.
The Rams carried their momentum into the second set, where the hosts quickly opened an 11-3 lead behind a flurry of service aces and blocks. JBU struggled to regain its rhythm, as the Rams maintained control throughout the frame. The Golden Eagles managed six kills in the set but hit negative (6-8-36) for the frame, dropping it 25-15.
JBU responded valiantly in the third, a dramatic affair featuring 13 ties and four lead changes. The Golden Eagles held a five-point advantage, 13-8, forcing TXWES into a timeout. The Rams responded, piecing together a 7-1 to pull ahead, 15-14. Down 22-20, John Brown forced a 22-22 tie and responded to claw even four more times until an error followed by a Ram termination sealed the match, 28-26.
Texas Wesleyan was led by Grace Pavelka, who tallied nine kills on a .296 (9-1-27) hitting percentage and added two blocks. Sydney Alexander made a significant impact with six aces and five total blocks, while setters Ruby Rumohr and Ruby O'Brien distributed 31 assists, 16 and 15 respectively, to guide the Rams' offense.
For the fourth time in five seasons, the Golden Eagle campaign ends in the semifinal round of the tournament. Texas Wesleyan advances to take on top-seeded Nelson (Texas) on Saturday afternoon as the Rams capture the SAC's second automatic berth into the NAIA National Championships by virtue of reaching the title match against the regular season champions.
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