By Daniel Johnson, Sports Editor
The 6-1 ACU volleyball team will take on conference rival Angelo State on Thursday in its first home game after seven consecutive matches on the road.
“It will be a big boost just to be back at home,” head coach Kellen Mock said. “Being where we’re comfortable will allow us to just get the ball rolling and keep momentum on our side.”
ACU’s momentum the during the second half of the season has them ranked third in the Southwest NCAA Division II region and undefeated after defeating both Tarleton State on Oct. 12 and Texas A&M Kingsville on Saturday. In both wins, the Wildcats came from behind and won in five games on the road.
“I’m proud of the girls for pulling out those wins after such a long stretch of road games,” Mock said.
Outside hitter Abbie Lowry, outside hitter Amy Silva and middle blocker Krystine Cethoute all led the Wildcats in kills against Kingsville with 15, while libero Liz Snoddy led the team with 27 digs in the match. Snoddy was named LSC South defensive player of the week after recording 63 digs and six assists in the two five game wins last week.
Although the Wildcats defeated Tarleton and Kingsville for the second time this season and extended their record to 6-1, Mock said she is eager for her team to find the dominating play that they had earlier in the season.
“We haven’t been on the emotional high that we’ve been on earlier this year, although we’ve been winning we need to get on a really hot streak,” Mock said.
The Wildcats have been unable to win in three games in their two South division games in the second half of the season, and Mock attributes that to how long they’ve been on the road.
“It wears you down mentally and physically,” Mock said. “It is hard to play well on the road especially after you’ve played as many as we did in a row.”
Mock said she is confident that returning to Moody Coliseum after so many games on the road will help restore the Wildcats and help them find ways to win earlier in their matches.
ACU and Angelo will play in for the second time this season at 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum.
