#14 HUSKIES SHOCK #8 LADY RAMS
November 19, 2005

SILOAM SPRINGS, AR:  The Texas Wesleyan University women’s volleyball team (31-4) faced the formidable challenge of defeating a very talented team for the third time this season on Saturday.  Unfortunately, Houston Baptist University (36-4) snapped a four game losing streak against the Rams by taking a 3-1 win in the Region VI Final.

The loss marked the first this season against a Region VI opponent for Texas Wesleyan.  It also snapped a school-record 30-match winning streak.  The Lady Rams had taken a pair of 3-1 wins over the Huskies this season, including last week’s Red River Athletic Conference Championship game.

On Saturday, the Huskies jumped ahead with a 30-27 win in game one, but the Lady Rams recovered to level the match with a 30-20 win in game two.  During the Lady Rams winning streak, they had not allowed an opponent to win more than one game.  HBU changed that by taking game three 30-27 and finished the match with a 30-24 win in game four.

Rachel Loftin, the Region VI Player of the Year, led the Lady Rams with 14 kills while Misty Tarbet and Sandra Ayala each recorded 11.  Whitney Johansen had 46 assists, and Susan Taylor recorded an outstanding 34 digs.  Ashley Mock recorded 14 digs, and Brandi Hatcher had 11 digs and the Lady Rams lone service ace of the contest.

After the match the All-Tournament team was announced and Texas Wesleyan’s Misty Tarbet and Susan Taylor were among those honored.

With the win, Houston Baptist punched its ticket for the NAIA National Tournament next weekend in San Diego, CA.  Each Region Champion receives an automatic bid to that tournament.  There are also five at large bids.  The Lady Rams, ranked 8th in the nation, will find out Monday afternoon whether or not they will receive one of those at large bids.