ACU returns home for its next two games, as it takes on Stephen F. Austin (12-7, 5-1) on Thursday and Sam Houston St. (9-10, 3-3) on Saturday. The Wildcats are looking to get back on track in these two games after a close loss to Houston Baptist on Monday before they have their last three away games on the season. Moody Coliseum has been kind to the Wildcats as they have yet to lose a game this season winning all three home games.
“I think we have been playing pretty consistently overall this past week and so I am looking forward to that continuing,” Bibler said.
ACU has yet to beat SFA in their last five meetings since Debbie Humphreys took control of the reins for the Lumberjacks. All-time, ACU only has one win against SFA dating back to 1983.
Finishing sets has been an issue for the Wildcats these past few games as they have been close, but have not been able to close out games. ACU has lead most of the statistical categories against their last three opponents and hit well with a .212 hitting percent compared to the combined opponents average of .196.
“We have been working on staying aggressive and finishing out matches and so I am planning on us doing that very well while we are at home,” Bibler said. “We want to just continue to serve and pass well, that is a huge part of our game and definitely impacts how we play overall.”
All three of the conference losses that the Wildcats have had this season have ended in three sets with eight of the nine total sets in those games being decided by four or fewer points.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is currently in first place in the Southland Conference with a 6-0 record, followed by both SFA (5-1) and Houston Baptist (5-1). ACU is just 2.5 games behind TAMUCC and in sixth place in the conference rankings.
Just like any sport, the atmosphere of playing in friendly confines brings a big advantage to the home team and Bibler says he has loved the turnout so far this year.
“Our crowds have been great! I like the energy and volume they bring to a match. We always talk about creating an environment that is fun and energetic to play in, when we are at practice and on the road,” Bibler said. “But when we come home, the crowd is great and really helps create an environment that is fun to play in and I know we feed off their energy throughout the match. We are definitely looking forward to being home and get that experience again.”
