DALLAS, Texas - First-year Baylor head volleyball coach Ryan McGuyre got his first taste of the Bears taking on outside competition Saturday when BU split matches in Dallas. Oklahoma took a 3-2 edge over Baylor in five sets before the Bears won three of four sets vs. UT Arlington in the second match.

Saturday marked the first of four dates the Bears will compete for their non-traditional spring season.

"I was extremely pleased with how we played. We are starting to execute a lot of skills at a very high level," said McGuyre. "We just need the time to create more permanence. I was especially pleased with Tola [Itiola] against OU. When in rhythm, she was unstoppable. In the second match, Shelly [Fanning] made a lot of dynamic plays blocking and attacking."

Baylor will play host to Texas State at the Ferrell Center Thursday at 8 p.m. After witnessing the Bears in action, McGuyre said Baylor would work on incorporating new defensive and blocking scheme in the coming practice days.