The Wildcat volleyball team is looking to rebound from a tough first tournament in their first series of home games this weekend. ACU will compete against Western State, 0-4, Pittsburg State, 3-1, Western New Mexico, 2-2, and Incarnate Word, 3-1, in the ACU Invitational Sept. 3-4.

The Wildcats will enter the Invitational 1-3, after dropping three of four in the Nebraska-Omaha Showcase. The ladies lost their first match of the tournament in four sets against ninth-ranked Truman State. They lost the second match to host Nebraska-Omaha in straight sets, 30-28, 25-20, 25-22.

On Day Two, ACU won its first match of the season, beating North Alabama in four sets before losing to Minnesota-Mankato in four sets.

The Wildcats recorded a hitting percentage of just .127 in their three losses, while in their lone victory, they posted a .209 hitting percentage. Shawna Hines was the top performer for the Wildcats in the tournament, leading the Wildcats in blocks, 16, and kills, 46. Ijeoma “Ij” Moronu, ACU’s star setter, did her job, racking up 137 sets in the four games.

The games this weekend will not be any easier. Ranked No. 17, Pittsburg State is ACU’s second nationally ranked opponent of the season. The Gorillas boast all-American outside hitter Pamela Cartenga. In the four games she has played, Cartenga accumulated 62 kills and 51 digs.

Their game against Incarnate Word will also test the Wildcats. As a team, the Cardinals have a hitting percentage better than .300. In the first day of the tournament at Angelo State last weekend, the Cardinals hit an astounding .392.
The Wildcats will play Western State at 3 p.m. and Pittsburg State at 7 p.m. Saturday and Western New Mexico and Incarnate Word at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday.