By Joshua Parrott, Sports Writer
To be the best, you have to play the best.
ACU volleyball coach Brek Horn knows that saying all too well, as nationally-ranked West Texas A&M and Eastern New Mexico come to town this weekend for Lone Star Conference South Division matchups.
The Lady Buffs, ranked second in the nation according to the latest American Volleyball Coaches’ Association Poll, are 27-2 overall and undefeated in seven LSC South matches take on the Wildcats tonight in a Lone Star Conference South Division matchup at 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum.
Saturday will bring little relief to the Wildcats, as Eastern New Mexico makes the trip from Portales and bring along with them a 19-9 overall record and 4-3 mark in the LSC South. The match against the Zias will start at 2 p.m. in Moody Coliseum.
Horn said this weekend is critical to the Wildcat’s post-season hopes.
“The match against Eastern New Mexico is a key match for us,” said Horn, whose Wildcats lost a five-game Sept. 20 match to the Zias. “We have been working in practice to stay focused for both matches.”
The Wildcats are currently one-half game behind the Zias and one whole game ahead of both Tarleton State and Texas A&M-Kingsville, both with 3-5 records in LSC South play.
ACU split the two LSC South matches against Angelo State in the month of October, as the Wildcats focused on playing tougher non-conference competition during the month. Despite winning only one match, the Wildcats are in position to claim a spot in the LSC Post-Season Tournament, granted they beat both Tarleton State and Texas A&M-Kingsville next weekend on the road.
Horn said she is optimistic as far as the post-season talk is concerned.
“If we win these two matches this weekend and take the two next weekend, we will be in second place for the LSC tournament,” said Horn, whose team has won three of the last four matches.
Wedged between this weekend and next is the final home match of the season for the Wildcats, the final home match for senior libero Grae Grimes.
Horn said Grimes has been a special player for Wildcats.
“In all of my time here at ACU, I don’t think she has missed a game,” Horn said. “She has been a great player to coach.”
The Wildcats are also dealing with the loss of freshman outside hitter Michelle Bernhardt, who has been suffering from back spasms this season. Bernhardt, who led the team in kills until the injury, has 366 kills and 208 digs, but missed last weekend’s matches. Bernhardt is questionable for this weekend.
Junior outside hitter Haylee Hartline now leads the team in kills with 381 and also has 191 digs. Redshirt freshman setter Lindsey Martin is third in the LSC in assists per game with 11.77 and has 1,083 total assists.
Horn said Martin has dominated the competition this season.
“She’s doing everything well,” Horn said. “I’m curious to see how she’ll do later in her career.”
