By Brian Roe, Sports Writer
After a disappointing loss this weekend to rival West Texas A&M, the ACU Wildcats bounced back Tuesday with a big conference win over Angelo State in front of the home crowd in Moody Coliseum.
Angelo State, which handed West Texas A&M its first conference loss in 77 games last Friday, won the first game over ACU 30-28. After regrouping, the Wildcats came back to win three straight games 30-24, 30-25, 30-21 en route to victory over the Rambelles.
ACU was led by outside hitters sophomore Michelle Bernhardt and senior Haylee Hartline, each with 19 kills. Freshman setter Malia Plumlee also played well ,delivering 56 assists in the match.
Junior lib-ero Kellen Morrow and junior right side hitter Sophia Kindred also made contributions to the win with 21 digs and 10 kills respectively.
Head coach Brek Horn said her team played more confidently against Angelo State.
“After losing the first game, we talked about pushing our way through and not coasting through the middle a game,” Horn said. “Once we started doing that we seemed more confident and were able to control the match a lot better.”
Part of that control can be credited to Plumlee. After being elevated to starter because of an injury to sophomore starting setter Lindsey Martin, Plumlee was thrown into the starting rotation Saturday against the Lady Buffs.
After settling in and getting a chance to practice with the starting unit this week, Plumlee played with more confidence and less tension, Horn said.
“I am proud of Malia,” Horn said. “She ran the court well, played with confidence and did an excellent job. She practiced with the starters this week, and that made all the difference. The team is gaining confidence in her, not the same confidence as with Lindsey, but the insecurity is not there like it was on Saturday.”
ACU will take its 18-7 (2-1) record to the road on Wednesday, playing two away matches against Texas A&M-Kingsville on Thursday night and facing off against Tarleton State on Saturday afternoon.
Horn said she is looking for the win over Angelo State to set a tone for the road trip.
“That win was huge for us and will make our road trip a lot more pleasant,” Horn said. “We should play with more confidence winning two out of three at home instead of losing two of three.”
