OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City thwarted a Wayland Baptist rally to take a five-set win Friday in Sooner Athletic Conference volleyball action.
 
The Stars won 25-20, 25-22, 23-25, 23-25, 15-7.
 
OCU led by as many as six points in the first set and got the win on a kill by Marina Kalajdzic.
 
With the second set tied at 22-22 in the second set, the Stars went up 24-22 on back-to-back kills by Grace Smallwood to set up set point and a WBU attack error put the Stars ahead 2-0.
 
After a pair of tough set losses, the Stars took control early in the third set, winning the first three points with kills by Smallwood and Maddie Edwards. Kills by Kalajdzic and Smallwood helped OCU extend the lead to 6-1. The Pioneers got as close as 9-6, but the Stars finished on a 6-1 run to take the match.
 
Smallwood led the Stars with 26 kills, with Kaylie Marshall adding 18. Natalie Adams posted 60 assists. Kate Cleofe had three aces.
 
Defensively, OCU got 30 digs from Marshall, followed by Smallwood with 20, Adams with 18, Cleofe with 15 and Ryan Leland with 13. Kalajdzic was in on three blocks.
 
With the win, the Stars move to 11-10 on the season and 8-7 in the SAC.
 
OCU hosts Oklahoma Panhandle State Saturday at 1 p.m.