By Shehan Jeyarajah
After starting conference play with three straight losses, Baylor volleyball went on the road to win its first Big 12 conference game against West Virginia in straight sets. With the win, Baylor moves to 9-11 on the season and 1-3 in Big 12 play.
Sophomore setter Amy Rosenbaum led the Bears with five kills, three blocks, 12 digs and 35 assists on a .625 hitting percentage for the second double-double of her career.
Sophomore outside hitter Thea Munch-Soegaard also added a double-double with 11 kills and 12 digs for her ninth double-double of the season.
Baylor hit .299 for the match with 21 total errors for the match. Senior outside hitter Zoe Adom, freshman middle hitter Tola Itiola and sophomore outside hitter Laura Jones combined for 26 kills.
Freshman outside hitter Jordan Anderson led West Virginia with 17 kills and nine digs. Sophomore outside hitter Hannah Sackett also contributed with 11 kills on a .308 hitting percentage. Similar to Rosenbaum on the other side, sophomore setter Brittany Sample had a balanced match with 30 assists, 12 digs and five kills on a .714 hitting percentage.
West Virginia played Baylor close in the first set, not allowing the Bears to get more than three points ahead. The second set was a different story as Baylor used a 7-2 run to take the set from 12-10 to 19-12. West Virginia would not get closer than five after that. Baylor fell behind in the third set behind five unanswered points by WVU to make it 16-10. Baylor would then finish the match on a 15-6 run, taking the lead for the last time 22-21.
Baylor out-dug West Virginia 52-47, one of their main indicators for success. They were also able to force West Virginia into 27 turnovers behind eight total blocks from Baylor.
Baylor will look to continue its success against TCU at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Ferrell Center.
