An already strong start to the 2023 season continued to get better for the West Texas A&M Lady Buff volleyball team, as they swept their way to victory at the annual Lone Star Conference Crossover at the WTAMU Fieldhouse from Thursday through Saturday.
The weekend was highlighted by Friday’s 25-18, 25-21, 25-21 sweep of Dallas Baptist.
That victory was a milestone for head coach Kendra Potts, who earned her 100th win as head coach of the Lady Buffs since she took the reins in 2019.
“These types of things, I wish we could all get together,” Potts said, “Players from 2019 to present and even past before that and just celebrate, because they started this. It’s a program, it’s a team, it’s a community win for all of us, and we appreciate the support through it. All I can say is I’m very grateful to be here.”
WTAMU (10-1 overall) was led in the win over Dallas Baptist by the reigning LSC Setter of the Week Ainsley Malis with 19 assists and 13 digs, recording her third double-double of the year. The Lady Buffs move to an impressive 16-0 all-time in the series versus the Patriots.
The Lady Buffs started the LSC Crossover on Thursday by taking down Texas A&M
International in straight sets, 25-11, 26-24, 25-15. WT trailed 19-24 in the second set before rallying with an 8-0 run to steal the set from the Dust Devils. Emma Becker led the charge as she finished the game with nine kills on 14 attempts, while Blair Moreland lent a helping hand to the tune of 15 assists.
WT wrapped up the weekend with yet another straight set sweep against familiar foe UT-Tyler 25-19, 25-15, 27-25. Canyon grad Carly Evetts stole the show as she finished the game hitting a career-high .500 with 10 kills and no errors. Malis continued her strong play with another 18 assists, while another Canyon Lady Eagle graduate, Bryli Contreras, had 25 digs of her own.
“What I love is that people are seeing what Carly is capable of,” Potts said. “She’s really finding her own here. “Malis is just always solid, and you just see how she quarterbacks the team so well. I think Brynne Wright is getting in her groove as well, and I feel like I can put anyone in at any given time and they would still be able to produce because they believe in themselves.”
Next up
The Lady Buffs open official LSC play when they travel to face Dallas Baptist and UT-Tyler on Friday and Saturday.