The one match the Wildcat volleyball team circled on their calendar is finally here, and there is more at stake than most people thought.
On Thursday, ACU will take on perennial volleyball powerhouse West Texas A&M in a match that will decide the number one seed and host of the LSC postseason tournament.
“We are just ready to play them and prove we are the number one team in the  conference,” said senior setter Ijeoma Moronu. “Just like any other game, we will take it a point at time till we come out on top.”
Wildcats have won all 12 of their LSC games including two more last weekend to get to this position.
Last Thursday ACU swept a weak Texas A&M-Kingsville team en route to a 3-0 win. The first game of the three was close with the Wildcats closing out a 25-21 win after three straight Kingsville errors. ACU dominated the second set 25-16 before Kingsville fought back to make the third set tight, 25-23.
Statistically the Wildcats were led by Shawna Hines who posted nine kills with a .389 hitting percentage. Moronu added her 13th double double of the season in the Wildcats 15th sweep of the year.
Saturday featured more of the same from the ‘Cats. Although they lost the first set, ACU bounced back to win the next three for a victory over the Incarnate Word Cardinals.
West Texas will be quite a different monster than the Wildcats have seen so far in the LSC this season. Although the Lady Buffs have eight losses on the year, the number that really matters is the zero in the conference loss column. Both teams will have that number going in to the match.
“We have waited all season for this game,” said junior Jennie Hutt. “We feel we are more prepared for them than we’ve ever been. This match is just another roadblock in the way of the goals we want to accomplish.”
Although a loss would not shatter the Wildcat’s season, it would most likely make Thursday ACU’s last home game of the season.
The match is also being billed to fans as Senior Night. The seniors on the Wildcats this year are Hines, Moronu and Jordan Schilling. Combined they have 9 years of experience for the Wildcats and will be missed by fans and players alike.
Fans coming to the game are encouraged to “Purple Rush” the Lady Buffs, and the first 250 will receive rally towels to support the Wildcats. The match will be played at 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum.
