By Michael Freeman, Assistant Sports Editor
After picking up its first wins of the season last weekend, the Wildcats return home to take on three Division II teams in the ACU Volleyball Classic.
The women’s volleyball team will play Pittsburg State, the No. 18 team in the nation, Friday in Moody Coliseum. On Saturday, the Wildcats will try to improve its 2-5 record as they go up
against Fort Hays State and Texas-Permian Basin. The Wildcats’ match on Friday will be its first home match of the season.
“I’m really excited to be at home,” said senior libero Liz Snoddy. “I’m hoping we have a good home crowd to support us.”
ACU will host the Pittsburg State Gorillas on Friday at 7 p.m. The Gorillas own an impressive 8-1 record with victories over two other top 25 teams. Already this season, Pittsburg State has beaten No. 16 Nebraska Omaha and No. 15 West Texas A&M, both by the count of three games to none. The Gorillas’ only loss came Saturday against No. 5 Florida Southern; they lost 30-27, 30-28, 30-20, 31-29.
Head coach Kellen Mock said she expects Pittsburg State to draw a tough match.
“Against Pittsburg State, I think we’re going to have to play at the top of our game,” Mock said. “I think they’re a beatable team. They’re a much taller team than what we’ve been having to deal with lately. I think that’s going to bring its own particular challenges.”
One similarity between Pittsburg State and ACU is that both teams have played the Incarnate Word Cardinals this season. On Aug. 24, the Gorillas defeated Incarnate Word 30- 21, 30-21, 30-20. And last Friday, ACU beat the Cardinals in four games,30-27, 30-25, 30-15, 30-27 during the Wildcats’ stint at the Alamo City Invitational in San Antonio.
But the fact that both squads have victories over Incarnate Word is where the similarities end. Pittsburg State and ACU have differing styles of play, and the Wildcats will have to adjust, Mock said.
“You have to approach each game as it comes,” Mock said. “And just put Mock said. “And just put the best team out there you can every time you step out there on the court.”
The Wildcats will be back on the court Saturday as they host Fort Hays State at 1 p.m. Fort Hays State has a record of 5-4. After that match, ACU will face regional opponent, Texas-Permian Basin at 5 p.m. Texas-Permian Basin owns a 3-5 record this season, however one of those wins came in a five-game match over No. 20 Rockhurst on Aug. 25.
“Overall, we really look forward to defending our home court,” Mock said.
