The entire Wildcat squad stepped up its game this past weekend and left the Whitten Inn Classic with a perfect 3-0 record.
The ‘Cats played three matches in Moody Coliseum. Their first match was against Lone Star Conference foe Midwestern State University whom they beat in three sets (25-14, 27-25, 25-23).
On Saturday, the team won a four-setter against Cameron University, 3-1 (26-28, 25-23, 25-19, 27-25) then defeated University of Texas of the Permian Basin, 3-0 (25-23, 25-15, 25-19).
“The mentality was different this weekend,” head coach Kellen Mock said. “We saw a lot less errors. That’s probably the biggest change.”
Junior Madelyn Robinett got to see her first playing time since breaking her arm earlier in the season.
“Having Madelyn back really helped us,” said sophomore middle blocker Sara Oxford. “She is a big, positive influence on the court.”
The wins lifted ACU’s season record to 7-11 and conference record to 3-6 and put a halt to their five-match losing streak. Before Tuesday’s match, the squad was sitting in eighth place in the LSC.
“We really needed those wins,” Oxford said. “This weekend helped us out in conference.”
Oxford was locked in against Midwestern. She had 17 kills and recorded a .485 hitting percentage. Oxford was one of three players to hit .300 or better and the 17 kills were only one short of matching her season best.
“I felt really good,” Oxford said. “Everyone’s game was on so we were clicking as a team that match.”
“Sara had an outstanding game,” Mock said. “She handles pressure very well. That was a break-out day for her.”
Sophomore Rachel Riley hit .300 with eight kills and senior Kalynne Allen smashed seven kills and hit .312.
One key to the Wildcats’ success was their defensive play. The team out-blocked the Mustangs, 9.0 to 2.0. Middle blocker Corrie Reeder and setter Sarah Siemens each had two solo blocks and one block assist apiece. Siemens also had 44 assists.
“Blocking is a skill that, if you can do it well as a team, you can really get into the head of your opponent,” Mock said.
While ACU cruised to a first-set victory, the ‘Cats had to battle MSU in the second and third sets. Midwestern led by as many as six points in the second set and seven in the third.
Freshman Jennie Loerch finished with 10.5 points, while scoring nine kills and two blocks.
The Cameron match was a total team effort as four Wildcats registered 10-or-more kills. Oxford led the charge with 16. Riley and Loerch each had 11, while Reeder put up 10 kills and four blocks.
“The Cameron match was our most well rounded match of the year,” Mock said.
ACU out-blocked the Aggies as well, 8.0 to 4.0. Siemens had four of those blocks.
Libero Madison Hoover led the team with 24 digs. She was followed by junior Caley Johnson (14) and Oxford (12).
Riley was the standout in the final match of the classic. She smacked 13 kills and recorded 13.0 points versus Permian Basin.
The Wildcats’ homestand continues on Friday and Saturday with matches against Eastern New Mexico University and West Texas A&M University. They face ENMU at 7 p.m. on Friday and WTAMU at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
