By Michael Freeman, Assistant Sports Editor
Despite some spectacular play by the Wildcats, the ACU volleyball team’s four-game winning streak came to a halt Saturday against the University of Central Oklahoma.
With three matches in the regular season remaining, ACU is 12-12 on the season and 7- 3 in the Lone Star Conference. The win improved Central Oklahoma to 26-5 overall and 9-1 in conference play.
“We played well all weekend long,” said head coach Kellen Mock. “We just lost the momentum a few times against UCO, and they took advantage of it.”
Senior outside hitter Abbie Lowry recorded 25 kills and 15 digs as the Wildcats fell 30-26, 29-31, 30-27, 30-17 to Central Oklahoma on Saturday in Edmond, Okla.
Junior middle blocker Lauren Leone was the only other Wildcat with double-digit kills as she finished with 12, sophomore libero Amy Wilson ended the match with a teamhigh 23 digs and freshman setter Ijeoma Moronu posted 50 assists and 18 digs.
“The biggest problem of the match was that we just struggled with our ball control at times,” Mock said. “And we failed to capitalize on some opportunities, whereas UCO really took advantage of every opportunity that we gave them.”
The Wildcats did not just post big numbers on Saturday. On Thursday, ACU took down Southwestern Oklahoma State on the road 30-23, 30-26, 20-30, 30-24.
Lowry had 23 kills and 14 digs, while sophomore outside hitter Erin Curry also finished with a double-double with 13 kills and 19 digs. Leone and sophomore middle blocker Krystine Cethoute each finished in the doubledigits in kills with 13 and 11 respectively. Moronu, who was named the Lone Star Conference Setter of the Week for her performance in the two road games, posted 50 assists against Southwestern Oklahoma State.
“We played some good, consistent volleyball,” Mock said.
The Wildcats played at home Tuesday against St. Edward’s. The score was not available for press time.
On Thursday, ACU will play again Thursday in a conference match versus Cameron, a team that is 12-14 overall and 5-5 in the LSC, in Moody Coliseum at 7 p.m. ACU’s final game will be Saturday against Midwestern State.
“I think we’re playing at an extremely high level right now,” Mock said. “We’re beginning to peak. It’s just going to get better.”
