By John Shellenberger
Baylor Bear Foundation

After two hard-fought, well-earned road wins against West Virginia and Iowa State, the Baylor volleyball team (17-6, 5-2 Big 12) will face the Oklahoma Sooners at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Ferrell Center.

Following a five-set thriller in Ames, Iowa, the Bears sit in third place in the Big 12. And while they keep shattering records and reaching milestones (like winning in Ames for the first time since 2005), the Bears are hungry for more. Instead of joining the rest of Baylor's students for fall break, the volleyball is trying to build on its already high expectations.

"We love it," freshman middle Nicole Thomas said. "What sets us apart from other students is how much we love to get on the court and work, and (we) love spending time with each other."

That passion was clearly present in Wednesday's game at Iowa State.

"The Iowa State game was a statement the girls gave me," head coach Ryan McGuyre said. "It was the most emotional match for me afterward, because the first set we weren't dialed in. We've had that happen before, and it's so hard to get back in a rhythm.

"Great teams find a way to get back in rhythm when they are out of it. Few percent of teams are able to do that. For us to get dialed back in was step one, which was great. For us to blow that lead on the road, but not have it devastate us, but have it inspire us really spoke to our grit and character."

Though the team seems to be all-business on the court, junior outside hitter Katie Staiger said she likes to keep things light and fun.

"It's exciting when you go (to Iowa State) and they're saying things like, `We haven't won there since 2005.' It was a blast. It was fun to win in five," said Staiger, who recorded her 11th double-double of the season with 27 kills and 15 digs. "I think when they come here, we can beat them in three. But, it was so much fun."

While the Bears have struggled to find their rhythm on offense the past few games, the defense has done more than enough to keep the team alive and well. Time and time again, the defense has proven that it can keep Baylor in close matches.

"Our defense has kept us in matches all year," McGuyre said. "Our defense is why it's become such a grind, it's why we're winning. It was a focus in the spring, (and) the girls really bought in."

In a year filled with upsets and shattering records, the Bears would like nothing better than to change a trend that has seen Oklahoma (12-8, 3-4) win 13 of the last 14 matches in the series.

"They do a lot of things well. Their middles can be very, very effective," McGuyre said. "Their setter does a good job of getting them the ball, and they hit well off one foot and two feet. Their middles are pretty dynamic, pretty versatile, so we've got to be dialed in."

Saturday's match will be televised by FOX Sports Southwest-Plus and Fox College Sports Center. .

WACO, Texas - Baylor volleyball (17-6, 5-2) closes the first half of the double round-robin conference schedule, squaring off with the Oklahoma Sooners (12-8, 3-4) on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Ferrell Center.

The Bears notched a historic program victory on Wednesday, downing Iowa State in Ames for the first time since 2005.

BU can continue its remarkable 2016 campaign with another first. A win over the Sooners would be the first home win for Baylor over Oklahoma since Sep. 28, 2008, a seven-match losing streak. The Bears have also dropped the last eight meeting between the two squads, with the last win coming in Norman on Nov. 12, 2011.

The Sooners hold the advantage in the all-time meeting, 39-15, including a 16-9 mark in Waco.

The Saturday match will be aired on FOX Sports Southwest Plus, featuring the Voice of the Bears, John Morris, and former Baylor volleyball standout, Kristen Bates.

For this and all other Baylor homes matches, fans can tune into the live internet radio broadcast on BaylorBears.com/allaccess.

Keep up with the team all season long by following Baylor Volleyball's official accounts on Twitter (@BaylorVball), Facebook (Baylor Volleyball), Instagram (@BaylorVolleyball), and Snapchat (@BaylorVball).

MATCH INFO:
Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. CT
Ferrell Center | Waco, Texas
Audio: BaylorBears.com (Paid)
Talent: Larry Little
TV: FOX Sports Southwest Plus
Talent: John Morris and Kristen Bates
Live Stats: BaylorBears.com

BAYLOR BEARS
2015 Record: 17-13
2016 Record: 17-6
2016 Big 12 Record: 5-2
Head Coach: Ryan McGuyre (2nd season)
All-Time Record vs. Oklahoma: 15-39
All-Time Record vs. Oklahoma in WACO: 9-16

OKLAHOMA SOONERS
2015 Record: 12-16
2016 Record: 12-8
2016 Big 12 Record: 3-4
Head Coach: Santiago Restrepo (13th season)

#SicEm