By Brian Roe, Sports Writer

ACU heads into Lone Star Conference South Division play at home this weekend when it plays host to Eastern New Mexico and rival West Texas A&M at Moody Coliseum.

The Wild-cats will open the weekend by playing Eastern New Mexico Friday at 7 p.m. The Zias enter the match with a 7-11 overall record, including a loss to West Texas A&M at home on Tuesday.

The Zias are led by Anna Bellum, who is averaging 4.13 kills per game this season, which is good for third in the LSC.

Junior libero Kellen Morrow said the team’s focus is first on ENMU and then the Lady Buffs.

“Eastern New Mexico graduated several girls that we have played against in the past,” Morrow said. “Their starting setter is also out for the season with an injury. We view their team much like our team from last year: young and inexperienced. We think we know some of the weaknesses they will have and plan on exploiting them.”

Following the ENMU match, the Wildcats will host West Texas A&M. The Lady Buffs are unranked in the American Volleyball Coaches’ Association top-25 for the first time since 1995.

The Lady Buffs are led by senior all-American setter Kendra Morgan, who has 904 assists this season.

Morrow, who leads the Wildcats with 292 digs this season, explains what it is like to play against the Lady Buffs.

“They have such a great winning tradition,” Morrow said. “They just bring an aura of winning with them, and it almost makes you nervous just watching them walk into the gym.”

Morrow, however, said this year the Wildcats are more confident in playing against West Texas A&M.

“They graduated a lot of people and lost some all-Americans,” Morrow said. “We are just going to focus on how good we can be and not how good they used to be. This is one year when they are beatable, and we need to capitalize on that.”

Coach Brek Horn echoes that ACU is looking to win this year.

“We are looking to win conference,” Horn said. “I think if we play the way we can, we have a great chance on Saturday.”