By Gio Gennero | Sports Writer
It’s no secret that since the 2017 season, Baylor volleyball has been led by the hitter-setter dynamic duo of seniors Yossiana Pressley and Hannah Sedwick. The two are among the best in the nation at their positions, Pressley at outside hitter and Sedwick at setter. Both have become very accomplished in their college careers, and have hit career marks this season most have never reached. Pressley, Baylor’s leader in career kills in the rally scoring era, surpassed 2,000 career kills and Sedwick became the fifth player to get 4,000 career assists as a Bear.
The two have played so well together over the years, head coach Ryan McGuyre compared them to the legendary quarterback-receiver duo of Joe Montana and Jerry Rice.
“On the court it’s spectacular,” McGuyre said. “When they’re both in the flow, it’s really unstoppable. We’ve seen great things out of both of them, a premier high level, it’s just fun [to watch]. You look at famous quarterbacks and their receivers who can’t be stopped, that’s Hannah and Yossi … I mean the Montana-Rice [duo] is pretty unstoppable right there. Yossi is fast but also, Rice, they talk about how he runs his route so precise. Yossi is very intentional with her feet, attacking, double arm lift, torque and everything we’re trying to do hitting, where it’s really accurate. Hannah’s just been really steady and sees the game well.”
Their undeniable success on the court stems from their personal relationship off the court. Sedwick said over the years the two of them have become much better at communicating at a high level. Sedwick also said it helps to know that Pressley will always be there during matches and also beyond volleyball. She said they have been through a lot together, and going into battle with her for five years has made their relationship strong.
“She’s definitely my go-to on the court,” Sedwick said. “I know that she’s definitely my go-to off the court too … I feel like I can just go to her for anything. I can go to her asking for prayer and I just know that she will pray. I know that she will just have my back and listen.”
Pressley reciprocated the appreciation and said playing with Sedwick has made things easier for her. In the past, Pressley has said that things are so natural when they’re on the court together it becomes automatic. Pressley said her and Sedwick have a great connection and a very real closeness.
“We’re extremely close,” Pressley said. “We share things about volleyball, life, her marriage, what I have going on in my life. She’s definitely a confidant and somebody that I trust for sure, and I just love the relationship that we have together.”
Baylor volleyball is currently 7-3 overall, 2-0 in conference matches, and ranked No. 9 in the nation. Pressley is once again leading the team in kills this season with 166 while Sedwick leads in assists with 344. Their connection continues to amount to success for the team, as they are currently on a six-match winning streak, including five sweeps in a row. Pressley said the team is always looking to get better and they are never satisfied as long as there are things to improve on.
The team will continue to rally around the senior duo as the season continues, and look to them as leaders. Pressley, Sedwick and the Bears will be back in action against Texas Tech University at 6 p.m. this Friday and Saturday at the Ferrell Center.
