The Advance

Issue date: 9/22/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: James Rivers Melissa Harrington returns the ball for KWU.

It only took an hour for the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes to sweep Oklahoma Wesleyan in three games, 30-15, 30-18, 30-19, on Monday night at Muir Gymnasium. The match was the Coyotes' final non-conference tune-up before embarking on the heart of the KCAC schedule.
The Coyotes trailed early 4-3 to the visiting Eagles, but it was quickly erased as KWU went on a 4-0 run to jump out to a 7-4 lead. OWU got within two at 9-7 before the Coyotes went on a 7-0 run to blow the match wide open. KWU extended their lead to 25-12 before OWU put a ball down the line just out of the reach of Naomi Hobayan.
"It was really good to see us continue to play a high caliber after the exhausting weekend we had," head coach Gordon Reimer said. "We continued to get better tonight, improving on this weekend's play."
The Coyotes never trailed in the second game, as an Hobayan ace gave the Coyotes a 21-12 lead, forcing a OWU timeout. A kill by Whitney DuBois sparked a KWU rally as the Coyotes outscored Oklahoma Wesleyan 7-4 to win game two 30-18.
"I feel that we are really starting to come together as a team," Reimer said. "We are finding our groove, and playing some great ball right now."
Reimer also noted his team chemistry is very good right now. "The players are understanding their roles on the team, and are learning what it takes to be a successful volleyball team."
KWU surrendered a early lead to OWU in game three 3-2, but pushed out to a 10-5 lead on a kill by Kristal Griffeth, forcing a Oklahoma Wesleyan timeout. OWU scored the next point, but a Sarah Carlson kill along with a potent jump serve from Hobayan sparked a 7-0 run to blow the game wide open at 17-6. Oklahoma Wesleyan got within eight at 21-13, but could get no closer as the Coyotes cruised 30-19.
Kolby Rhoades again led the Coyotes with 15 kills while Griffeth added seven. Freshman Landree MacLennan, making her first start at home, led with 22 assists. Hobayan led the Coyote servers with four aces, and the diggers with 10. Kelli Berg had three solo blocks and four assisted blocks to lead the Coyotes.
The Coyotes (7-7) are back in action on Wednesday evening in Muir Gym as the Coyotes host the Bethany Swedes in the middle match of a three-match home stand that concludes next Tuesday against Friends.
"I'm really excited about our next four matches against quality KCAC opponents," Reimer said. "Very excited."

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