Lady Wildcats hope to defend home court in conference play
September 20, 2016
For the first time in the 2016 season, the Wiley College volleyball team is playing at home in two Red River Athletic Conference matches.
“I’m excited for the girls,” said head coach LaKyva Bason, who is a RRAC Coach of the Year candidate. “There’s nothing like getting to play on your own territory.”
The Lady Wildcats (6-7, 1-1 in RRAC) face Texas College at 6 p.m. Thursday and face Jarvis Christian College at 1 p.m. Saturday. Wiley split its opening conference matches with a sweep over Langston University and a four-set loss to the University of the Southwest. Errors played a key part in Saturday’s loss.
“We’re focused on cleaning up our game and being consistent,” Bason said. “I’m just looking forward to my team improving and playing at their level.”
Entering Thursday’s home opener, Olena Fedorenko, who is a candidate for RRAC Freshman of the Year, leads the RRAC in blocks (67) and blocks per set (1.5). Rebecca Moustapha leads the conference with a .304 hitting percentage. Miyah Keller, who is a candidate for RRAC Defensive Specialist of the Year, shares the lead for digs per set at 5.
Texas College (0-2, 0-2 in RRAC) is under new leadership as Elissia Burwell, who is also the athletic director, replaces Nancy Sikobe as head coach. The Lady Steers lost their first two games of the season to Our Lady of the Lake and Huston-Tillotson. Since 2006, Wiley College has won 18 straight against Texas College.
Jarvis Christian (9-9, 0-2 in RRAC) also were swept by Our Lady of the Lake and Huston-Tillotson. The Lady Bulldogs are in their fifth season under Devon Thompson. Jarvis Christian has the reigning RRAC Freshman of the Year Talicia Lang, who also earned First Team All-Conference. Since 2006, Wiley College has won 17 straight against the Lady Bulldogs.