ACU volleyball got back to their winning ways with a 3-1 victory over the University of New Orleans. The win improves the Wildcat’s record to 5-4 in Southland Conference play giving them sole possession of fifth place.
Similar to many of their previous conference matches the Wildcats started fast and got the home crowd involved early with a 25-21 set one win. New Orleans played well at the start holding a 6-3 lead, but a string of kills by senior Jennie Loerch and a kill from sophomore Corinne Grandcolas gave ACU a lead they would not give up.
The Wildcats took a 2-0 lead in the match after a 25-21 game two victory. The set was characterized by much of the same as set one, with ACU leading most of the way. The Privateers pulled within three at 24-21 on an attack error by junior Lexi Mercier. Mercier responded by converting a kill and securing the set 25-21.
The Privateers hard work seemed pay off in the third set as they used a 6-0 run to take a 16-10 lead. The Wildcats were able to cut the lead to one after a kill from freshman Lauren Walker and an error by New Orleans. However, the Wildcats were unable to tie or take the lead eventually falling 25-23.
Leading 2-1 at home the Wildcats began game four with new life thanks to kills by Mercier and Walker. The lead was short-lived for ACU, as New Orleans stormed back to take an 8-7 lead on a Loerch attack error.
After going point-for-point for several rallies the Wildcats took a 16-15 on a kill from senior Sarah Siemens. ACU would not trail again in the set, but New Orleans did not go away quietly. With the Wildcats leading 24-20, the Privateers scored three straight points taking advantage of three consecutive ACU errors and forcing a timeout by head coach Jason Bibler.
Out of the timeout the Wildcats finished the job on another Siemens kill, securing the victory 25-23.
Grandcolas finished with a team-high eight blocks in her home debut, after returning from an injury during the Wildcats two-game road trip.
With the win ACU moves to 5-1 in Moody Coliseum, as it continues to be a tough environment for visiting teams. The Wildcats also moved to 3-0 all-time against New Orleans.
ACU continues their three-game homestand this weekend when they take on Southeastern Louisiana, who sits right below the Wildcats in the standings at 4-4 in conference play.
