By Michael Freeman, Assistant Sports Editor
In its first conference match-up of the season, the ACU volleyball team trounced Southeastern Oklahoma State on Thursday night with a 3-0 victory at Bloomer Sullivan Gymnasium in Durant, Okla. The win improves the Wildcats’ record to 5-6 overall and 1-0 in Lone Star Conference play. With the loss, the Savage Storm dropped to 4-6 and 0-1 in the conference.
ACU’s 1-0 start places the Wildcats among four other teams that began conference play with a win, including ACU’s next opponent, Tarleton State.
“It was extremely important; I think it sets a tone to win the first one,” said head coach Kellen Mock. “Our goal is to try to win each one of our conference matches. There are going to be a few that will be extremely difficult to win, but every time you step out on the court, you’ve got to expect to win. And you’ve got to do everything you can to get a win.”
In Thursday’s game, ACU downed Southeastern Oklahoma State in three games, 30-25, 30-18, 30-26. ACU handily controlled the match until the third game when the Savage Storm took a 15-11 lead. The Wildcats retaliated by going on a 19-11 run to win the match.
“It says a lot about a team to go into someone else’s home gym and win in three games,” Mock said. “I think we showed a little bit of maturity in taking care of business.”
The Wildcats got help from a wide variety of their players Thursday night. ACU sophomore middle blocker Krystine Cethoute led the Wildcats with a team-high nine kills. Sophomore outside hitter Erin Curry and freshman outside hitter Chez Colter each finished with eight kills. Freshman setter Ijeoma Moronu provided a team-high 23 assists, and freshman middle blocker Shawna Hines ended the game with five blocks.
“We played consistent volleyball,” Mock said. “Southeastern adjusted their game to try to beat us. But I think we did a better job of adjusting our side of the court to their weaknesses and strengths than they did.”
The win added to ACU’s three-game winning streak. The Wildcats’ previous wins came when they beat both Fort Hays State and Texas-Permian Basin at home on Sept. 8. The Wildcats play again on Thursday at 7 p.m. when they host Tarleton State at Moody Coliseum.
