By Michael Freeman, Assistant Sports Editor
Taking on the top team in the Lone Star Conference on the road is no easy task. But the Wildcat volleyball team believes that it’s ready for the challenge.
ACU plays the West Texas A&M Buffaloes, who are ranked No. 18 in the nation, in Canyon this Saturday. West Texas A&M owns a 14- 5 overall record with an undefeated conference record of 3-0, while the Wildcats are 6-7 overall and 2-1 in
the conference.
“I think there’s a lot to be said about rankings,” said head coach Kellen Mock. “But I also think that there’s times when they just don’t really matter. What matters is who plays on the day you step out on the court against each other.”
ACU played Eastern New Mexico and West Texas A&M played Angelo State on Thursday, but results were not available by press time.
Last year, the Wildcats lost twice to the Buffaloes during the regular season and once in the postseason. West Texas A&M defeated ACU 30-15, 30-17, 30-25 in the NCAA Division II Southwest Regional last season. This year, the Wildcats will only play West Texas A&M once in the regular season. The ACU players are looking for payback for last season’s losses.
“Last year, they beat us in every game,” said junior middle blocker Lauren Leone. “So, we’re getting revenge in a way this year.”
ACU’s last match ended up in a 30-26, 30-15, 30-32, 30-28 loss to conference opponent Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday in Moody Coliseum. The Wildcats have been preparing all week to bounce back from the loss and defeat West Texas A&M.
“West Texas has always been our big rival,” said senior outside hitter Abbie Lowry. “We always get fired up to play them.”
The match is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at the West Texas A&M Fieldhouse. The Buffaloes are not the first nationally ranked team that ACU has played this year. The Wildcats lost to both Hillsdale, ranked No. 10 at the time, and Florida Southern, ranked No. 5, back in August. If ACU beats West Texas A&M, it would be the first victory over a nationally ranked team for the Wildcats this season.
“And it’s at their place,” Leone said. “It would be the greatest thing ever to beat them there.”
Both ACU and West Texas A&M are relatively young teams this season. Only two starters from the Buffaloes last year, Natalie Johnson and Sara Contreras, are still starting this last year.
“They’re going through some of the same learning curves that we do, some of the same growing pains,” Mock said. “Our young team versus their young team is going to be a real battle. And whichever team is more prepared, whichever team is more focused and mentally ready is going to come out the victor.”
