By Brian Roe, Sports Writer
ACU was clicking in Moody Coliseum on Tuesday when it faced West Texas foe Lubbock Christian. The Wildcats dominated the match and unloaded LCU in three straight games by scores of 30-23, 30-16 and 30-24.
“There’s just something about playing at home that makes everything click,” said head coach Brek Horn.
The Wildcats received a scare early in the match when star player Michelle Bernhardt popped her left shoulder out of socket. The junior outside hitter was removed from the first game but came back in the second game with a vengeance, finishing the match with a game-high 17 kills.
Horn said Bernhardt did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday but is expected to play this weekend in San Antonio.
“Michelle is sore but she will be fine,” Horn said. “She knows her job is to put the ball away and even with the soreness she still did that. She had 10 more kills than anybody else.”
Bernhardt was the only player from either team to record double digits in kills. Junior middle blocker Amanda Slate contributed seven kills and junior setter Lindsey Martin set-up 35 assists. Senior libero Kellen Morrow and sophomore setter Malia Plumlee each had 18 digs, and freshman outside hitter Liz Snoddy added 11 digs.
“LCU is usually tough,” Horn said. “I expect a much different match when we go to Lubbock to play them in a few weeks. It’s always tougher to play at someone else’s home.”
With the win over LCU, the Wildcats improve their record to 6-4 on the season.
The Wildcats will spike their volleyballs in San Antonio this weekend competing in a pair of road matches against regional rivals St. Mary’s and Incarnate Word. ACU battles St. Mary’s Friday at 7 p.m. and Incarnate Word Saturday at 2 p.m.
The Wildcats continue their long stretch of road matches, having played eight of 10 matches away from Abilene this season.
“We have to be better prepared anytime you go in someone else’s gym,” Horn said. “St. Mary’s always plays us tough and Incarnate Word is off to a slow start, but they haven’t played at home yet.”
The Wildcats hit the road again Tuesday in Denton to face Texas Woman’s at 7 p.m. ACU returns home to play seven of eight matches in Moody Coliseum, including the Lone Star Conference Crossover tournament in Abilene on Sept. 24.
