ACU (10-19, 9-5) puts it perfect 7-0 home record on the line as it begins its last weekend of the regular season this week by hosting the Nicholls State Colonels (8-23, 3-12) on Thursday at Moody Coliseum.
Nicholls is currently on a three-game losing streak after its 2-3 loss on Tuesday against McNeese St, while the Wildcats are on a two-game winning streak. This game will conclude the Colonels season.
The previous meeting between ACU and Nicholls resulted in the Wildcats traveling to Thibodaux, La. and coming away with their first 3-0 sweep on the season. This came after Nicholls bested the Wildcats twice a season ago.
On the year, both teams have been even in hitting. Nicholls has posted a .198 hitting percent, while ACU has posted a .195. The difference between the two is what each team gives up to its opponents. Nicholls has posted the second to worst opponent’s hitting percentage in the conference with a .246, while ACU has allowed a third best in the conference .175.
The Wildcats are third in the conference in blocks. Senior Lexi Mercier leads the team in blocks with 109. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
In other statistics, Nicholls also posts the league worsts in assists per set (10.45), kills per set (11.35) and blocks per set (1.30). ACU is around the middle of the pack in the conference for assists per set (11.23) and kills per set (11.92), but boasts the second best blocks per set number with a 2.55 during Southland Conference games.
ACU is in a battle for third place in the Southland Conference with Sam Houston St. (15-12, 9-5), who both are at 9-5 in conference games. Sam Houston has two games remaining on their schedule. In the lone meeting between ACU and Sam Houston, the Wildcats own the 3-2 victory, but the Bearkats have the better overall record on the season.
If Moody Magic prevails against Nicholls, the Wildcats will look have an opportunity to finish perfect at home with their finale against McNeese State (10-20, 6-9). Three teams have only one loss at home, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Stephen F. Austin, and Sam Houston St., no team other than the Wildcats have a perfect home record in the Southland Conference.
The Wildcats have already posted its first double-digit win season since 2012, but a win against either team this weekend would give them their first winning conference record in five years. ACU finished 14-6 in the Lone Star Conference and 9-1 at home that season, making it to the sub-regional round of the Div. 2 playoffs.
