McKinney lands fourth-straight double-double, volleybal falls in four at Wesleyan
FT. WORTH, Texas -- Freshman Carly McKinney launched her fourth-straight double-double, but the John Brown University volleyball team hit just .137 percent over the final three sets as Texas Wesleyan completed the season sweep over the Golden Eagles in four sets (25-21, 20-25, 16-25, 14-25) on Friday (Oct. 21) evening inside the Sid Richardson Center.
McKinney's 10 kills and 17 digs came as the freshman's eighth double-double in 13 conference matches, but JBU had to deal with a trio of Ram (23-4, 10-4 SAC) hitters that went off for double-digit kills, including Alanna Hayhurst (16), Brianna Jaramillo (13) and Shelby Stinnett (10). TWU has now won 11 of its last 13 and maintained pace with St. Gregory's (Okla.) for a tie for the fourth and final hosting privileges in the Sooner Athletic tournament quarterfinals.
The Golden Eagles (15-11, 6-7) dropped below .500 for the first time of the season in conference action and sits safely in sixth place in the league standings. John Brown has now stumbled in six of its last seven.
Freshman Jessica Meyer hit .250 percent (10-2-32) and launched 10 kills, adding five blocks, one solo, while freshman counterpart Megan Beck contributed eight kills and six blocks, including five block-assists. Senior Molli Pugh launched eight kills and sophomore Kennedy Shelstead added seven kills on a team-best .273 percent hitting clip (7-1-22).
John Brown took advantage for good in the first set after kills from Beck and Shelstead was followed by a Bayli Reagan timely ace, capping off a quick 4-1 run that turned a narrow 17-16 lead into a 21-17 advantage. Junior Bailei Brown added a termination in the finally rallies and McKinney's kill ended the first set after the hosts pulled within three, 24-21.
After hitting .211 percent in the first set and holding Wesleyan to .116 percent in the first set, the hosts responded by capturing the next three frames, fueled by a .260 percent attacking clip. The Rams finished the match hitting .357 percent in the fourth stanza.
Junior Beth Brankle captured her fourth-straight 20-plus dig performance, recording a team-best 21 scoops. Junior Alyssa Arnold notched a double-double by assisting 26 of JBU's 45 kills and earning 12 digs in the losing effort.
The Golden Eagles turn right around for a chance at redemption as JBU takes on Southwestern A.G. (Texas) on Saturday (Oct. 22) at 1 p.m. in Waxahachie, Texas to complete its final Texas road swing of the season.
