By Brian Roe, Sports Writer

The volleyball team starts its season Friday in Canyon, participating in four matches at the Lady Buff Classic tournament.

ACU opened the tournament Friday at 9:30 a.m. against Western New Mexico. The Wildcats will also compete against New Mexico Highlands at 4 p.m. On Saturday, ACU will meet Adams State at 9:30 a.m. and close the tournament against nationally ranked Metro State at 6 p.m.

“Western New Mexico is the only one that is not a regional match,” Horn said. “We wanted to play them first to try and get the first-match jitters out of the way.”

ACU returns five starters from last season, including a pair of first-team all-Lone Star Conference players in junior outside hitter Michelle Bernhardt and junior middle blocker Amanda Slate.

Four freshman players will experience their first taste of ACU volleyball this weekend. Outside hitter Abbie Lowry, outside hitter Allie Watts, outside hitter Liz Snoddy, libero Ashley Baird and middle blocker Terrah Brown make up the Wildcats volleyball freshman class.

Horn said she expects contributions from first-year players.

“We have some freshmen fighting for positions on this team, and that’s the way it should be,” Horn said. “Abbie and Allie have both been hitting the ball really well.”

Horn also added that Baird, who plays the same position as senior Kellen Morrow, also impressed her in practice.

“I am pleasantly surprised by Ashley’s progress so far,” Horn said. “She is a defensive player and she played well in our intrasquad game last week.”

Brown will not have the opportunity to contribute this weekend. She recently had minor knee surgery and will miss at least the first two weeks of the season.

The Wildcats play their home opener Tuesday against Wayland Baptist. It begins at 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum.