The Wildcats are coming home to take on the Angelo State University Belles on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum after two matches on the road.

ACU goes into the game with a 10-4 record. Meanwhile, Angelo State has dropped four of their last five matches and is coming off a 3-0 loss to Texas A&M. However, Head Coach Kellen Mock and the Wildcats won’t be looking past them.

Mock said the Belles have had several girls produce for the team, but they are very heavy on freshmen.

“It should be a good match for us,” Mock said. “I think we have a good chance to beat them, but at the same time, we have to be on top of our game.”

ACU split the games against Angelo State last year, losing 1-3 in the regular season but coming back to sweep the Belles 3-0 in the first round of the South Central Regional Tournament.

“They’re definitely a big rival, especially since we’re so close to each other,” said junior setter Ijeoma Moronu. “They are going to be out to get us, but we’re going to be out to get them, too.”

The Belles are returning two second team all-Conference players from last year’s squad, Alaina Sivells and Kimber Duncan.  Sivells leads the team in blocks and kills and Angelo State Coach Chuck Waddington said Sivells is one of the most versatile players on the team. Mock knows an ACU win will depend on slowing down Sivells.

“If you key on her early and shut her down, you’re in good shape,” Mock said. “If you let her get on a roll, she can change the game.”

The Wildcats’ last home game was Sept. 5 against Incarnate Word, which they won 3-0, and they said they are looking forward to their first home conference game.

“It’s good to be home,” Mock said. “We’re all road-weary and ready to be here for a little while, and the girls love playing in front of a home crowd, so we try to get as many people out there as we can.”