By Brian Roe, Sports Writer
The Wildcat volleyball team strung together another three-game sweep, this time against St. Edward’s on Tuesday night in front of 300 fans in Moody Coliseum. ACU finished off the Hilltoppers 30-28, 30-19, 30-20.
ACU ran its latest winning streak to three matches and improved its record to 19-6, while St. Edward’s fell to 13-12 this year.
The Wildcats struggled in game one, allowing the Hilltoppers to take an early lead. ACU finished strong and won the opening game on a kill by junior outside hitter Michelle Bernhardt. The Wildcats dominated games two and three, finishing off St. Edward’s in 90 minutes.
“We outblocked them, and against a really good hitting team, that made a huge difference,” said freshman outside hitter Liz Snoddy.
Bernhardt led the Wildcats with a game-high 19 kills and 14 digs. Junior setter Lindsey Martin chipped in 48 assists and 14 digs, freshman outside hitter Abbie Lowry added 13 kills, and junior middle blocker Ashlee Motola finished with nine kills.
Senior libero Kellen Morrow and sophomore setter Malia Plumlee each posted 11 digs. Junior middle blocker Amanda Slate compiled nine kills, eight digs, three assists and four assisted blocks in the match.
Slate was also named Lone Star Conference South offensive player of the week for her performance last week. The Hallsville native hit .341 last week with 42 kills, two service aces, eight digs and nine total blocks. Eight of her nine blocks were against LSC South opponents.
“Amanda is just an all-around great leader and player,” said Snoddy. “She’s just a person who encourages us all the time and pushes us to work harder every game.”
ACU played against LSC-South-opponent Angelo State Thursday night and do not play this weekend. The Wildcats return to action next Thursday, traveling to Portales, N.M., to play against Eastern New Mexico. ACU hosted Eastern New Mexico on Oct. 2, winning in a five-game struggle.
Two days after traveling to Portales, the Wildcats make their way to Canyon to play their rival West Texas A&M. ACU defeated the Lady Buffs for the first time since 1993 on Sept. 30.
“We just have to remember that even though we beat them last time doesn’t mean they are going to lay down and die,” Snoddy said. “We have to stay confident and know we can win if we keep our focus.”
