TXWES sends MACU home empty-handed

FORT WORTH, TX – Mid-America Christian (8-6, 6-3 SAC) had a tough go of it traveling south for the Texas two-step weekend. After MACU lost in straight sets to Southwestern Assemblies of God Friday night, Texas Wesleyan (11-6, 7-2 SAC) finished them off with 25-17, 25-19 and 25-14 victories.

It was strong early starts that helped the Lady Rams cruise into the weekend comfortably in third place in the conference standings. In Set 1, TXWES got out to a 7-2 spot, then held the five point edge at 11-6. The Evangels made a late push, cutting the deficit to just one, 17-16, but back-to-back kills from Chastiny Brown separated the two squads once again. The Rams would go on to score seven straight, capped by a Brittni Mohle kill and a bad set on the other side of the net.

Set 2 started steady for both teams splitting the first ten points. But then, it was Morgan Burns who shined brightest. Burns, who comes off the bench to assist in serving, passing and defensively, earned back-to-back aces during a 5-0 run. The Lady Rams kept that edge, leading 17-12 and 23-18 before Veronika Webb’s spike gave the Lady Rams their second mini-win of the afternoon.

More of the same in the third. Texas Wesleyan took a 2-2 tie and scored six in a row, then kept control. It seemed like every time Burns checked into the ball game, the Lady Rams soared and the third set was no different. Burns served, then assisted on a kill for Arianna Alvarado and Webb during that early stretch and in her time serving on the floor, the Rams outscored MACU 11-6. Burns finished with two kills, 16 assists, two aces and eight digs.

Webb was a difference-maker as well, getting 10 kills and 1.5 blocks, the most swat-downs she’s had in the last handful of contests.

The freshman from San Antonio, Alvarado, is turning into a star. She had a season high 12 digs to go along with 12 kills and with opportunities directly in front of the net, has been absolutely deadly over the past couple of weeks. She was 28 kills to just three attacking errors in her last three outings.

MACU is used to leaving Fort Worth without a win. TXWES has dominated the series, winning all 17 meetings, while taking 18 of the last 19 sets.

Texas Wesleyan sits one game back of John Brown for second and one game ahead of SAGU for third (Rams beat SAGU 3-0, lost to John Brown 0-3 earlier this season). The Lady Rams continue a five-game homestand Friay October 11 against Central Christian.