The ACU volleyball team is 2-1 in its last three games, all against Lone Star Conference opponents. The one loss ended the Wildcats three-match winning streak.
On Tuesday, Oct. 18 the ‘Cats lost a long battle at No. 17 Angelo State University 22-25, 25-22, 12-25, 26-24, and 13-15.
The Rambelles are currently to 25-2 on the season and 14-1 in the LSC. ASU is tied with West Texas A&M University for first in the conference. ACU will have another opportunity to upset the top-25 team on Nov. 1 at Moody Coliseum.
The Wildcats came back and tied the match at 1-1 and 2-2 however in the fifth set with a 13-11 lead, the team couldn’t find a way to obtain the final two points. The Rambelles scored four consecutive points to seal the deal.
Head coach Kellen Mock wishes she could replay the end of the match.
“Angelo State was a hard fought match. I’d give anything to go back and redo the last four point of that match but overall it was one of our better performances.”
Despite losing, sophomore Neely Borger sees the Angelo game as an integral part in building the team’s confidence.
“The match was definitely a confidence booster. We hung in there with them. They’re ranked No. 17 so there’s no doubt we played a good club. It was heartbreaking to lose however, we’ll have another chance for revenge when we play them here.”
ASU looked as though it had the match under control after handily defeating the ‘Cats in the third set. In the fourth though, ACU dug deep and recovered from a 23-20 fourth-set deficit by winning six of the last seven points. Jennie Hutt helped out by achieving two kills during the streak. She finished the match with 15.
Sara Oxford led the team with 16 kills and a .270 hitting percentage. The Wildcats only hit .130 as a team. Borger had 13 kills and six block assists. She also scored 19 points.
The next match, the ‘Cats had a much less stressful result. Versus Texas A&M University-Commerce on Thursday, Oct. 20, ACU managed to sweep the Lions 3-0 (25-23, 29-27, and 29-27).
Commerce fell to 8-13 and 3-10 in the LSC after the defeat.
Mock was happy with the girls defensive showing.
“I was impressed with how well we kept the ball in play. We out hustled the other team which is great to see. Edwards had around 30 digs so she was outstanding.”
Hutt registered 19 kills along with 19.5 points against Commerce. Kelsie Edwards put up 30 digs and Michie Johnson recorded 13 of the teams 65 total digs.
The Lions hit .175 in comparison to .252 for the ‘Cats. ACU had 58 total kills and outdug Commerce 65-50.
In the Wildcats last game at Moody Coliseum Saturday afternoon Oct. 22, the team had to claw its way back vs. Texas Woman’s University.
The girls were down but not out in a five set match that ended on a good note. ACU was able to tightrope to a victory 3-2 (20-25, 25-14, 25-16, 21-25, and 16-14).
The ‘Cats improved their record to 15-11 and 9-5 in the conference with six matches remaining on the schedule. TWU lowered its record to 10-14 and 8-7.
TWU was tough despite its record said Mock.
“Their one of the toughest teams to play in the conference. They have a couple of foreigners that are difficult to play against. For the girls to shut them down in this match was impressive.”
ACU was able to perform some of its own magic in the fifth set down 14-13. Borger tied the match at 14-14 with a kill then an attack error on the Pioneers all but finished off the sweet victory. Hutt would put an exclamation point on the two teams second meeting of the season by hitting her 12th kill.
The ‘Cats set a record on the season for blocks with 15.0 to TWU’s 9.0. Edwards and Johnson each shared a role in the dig department with 32 and 21 respectively.
Haley Rhoads was critical on offense. She had 54 of the team’s 61 assists.
Borger stated the team is currently in great position sitting at third place in the LSC.
“We’re kind of peaking at a perfect time in the schedule because we don’t have the pressure of trying to defend something yet we still have the urge to finish these last games strong.”
