The Wildcats ended their four-match winning streak in the Lone Star Conference over the weekend. The team lost on the road to both Angelo State University and Tarleton State University.
The ‘Cats were defeated on Friday by No. 9 ASU in three sets (25-18, 25-13, 25-21). Saturday, ACU was bested by the TexAnns in four sets (25-13, 25-20, 22-25, and 25-22).
“The losses this weekend were completely different than the losses against Angelo and Tarleton a couple of weeks ago,” head coach Kellen Mock said. “We played good matches. The only mental slip was game two against Angelo.”
“We fought really hard the whole way through both matches,” she said.
The two losses dropped the Wildcats to 9-14 on the season and 5-8 against the LSC. The road has not been kind to the team as they are only 4-10 [away from Moody Coliseum.]
The Rambelles (19-3) remained in first place in the conference after the win.
Despite the losses, Mock still says there is a good chance the squad will make it to the conference tournament at the end of the season.
“We do have to win quite a few more matches to clinch a spot,” she said. “But based on the standing, we’re facing the lower end of the conference in our upcoming matches.”
ACU recorded nine blocks in the ASU match. However, they could not do much with their attack, hitting just .066. On the other side, Angelo State had eight blocks and hit at a .211 clip.
“Angelo came out and played great defense against us,” Mock said.
“We had to work really hard to find places to score,” freshman Sarah Siemens said. “The offense was out of its comfort zone and we had more errors than in the previous matches.”
Freshman Jennie Loerch led the team with 11 kills but also committed seven errors. Senior Kalynne Allen had a season-best five assists.
Siemens had 23 assists out of the ‘Cats 28 kills. Libero Madison Hoover and setter Caley Johnson both led the team in digs with 10 apiece.
The Wildcats hit .162 as a team versus Tarleton State. Loerch smacked 18 kills while sophomore Sara Oxford recorded 11.
“Jennie has really hit fire lately,” Mock said. “She is so consistent and the girls love playing with her because she’s so positive.”
Freshman Corrie Reeder and Allen each had nine kills and also combined for 3.5 of the team’s six blocks.
TSU had a .263 hitting percentage due in part to four players who smashed 10 or more kills.
Siemens was active on the court with 47 assists and 10 digs. Hoover had 19 digs while junior Madelyn Robinett served three aces.
“Every match we play, I get more confident and comfortable with my hitters,” Siemens said. “I have more of a gut feeling on who to set. I’m starting to understand how everything works.”
The ‘Cats are back on the court in Moody this week to start a three-match homestand.
The team battles Texas A&M University-Kingsville Friday at 7 p.m. and University of the Incarnate Word Saturday at 2 p.m.
