Abilene Christian rallied for a much-needed WAC volleyball victory over California Baptist.

ACU won 17-25, 22-25, 25-19, 25-19, 16-14.

After losing the first two sets, ACU fell behind early in the third, 3-0. The Wildcats went on a 14-3 run from there, making four kills from Ashli Edmiston in that rally. The Lancers got as close as two points, but Edmiston finished off the set with successful kills.

CBU again led early in the fourth set, but the Wildcats opened up a lead with a 10-3 run, with kills by Breanna Box for a 15-9 lead. The Lancers got no closer than three points in this set.

The entire fifth set was close; CBU got to match point at 14-13, but the Wildcats rallied for the next three points: a block by Braden Bossier and Madeline Guffy, a block by Bossier and Alexis Strong and a service ace by Guffy.

“We were able to make great plays at the right moments and that’s all thanks to our great defense effort and being super competitive and aggressive offensively,” Guffy said. 

The win against the Lancers put the Wildcats in need of a win to keep the postseason in their possession. The victory kept ACU a game ahead of Tarleton State and two ahead of Utah Tech. ACU is now tied for sixth and the top eight teams make the WAC Tournament.

“I’m very proud of the fight that our team was able to show in our match vs CBU. It’s not easy to come back when you are down 2-0 but our team did a great job of staying mentally tough and focused on the next ball,” Ijeoma Moronu, ACU head coach said.

Edmiston led the Cats on Thursday with 19 kills with Bossier adding 15 and Box 13. Guffy had 51 assists.

Sara Carrizales led the defense with 24 digs while Abby Christian and Bryley Steinhilber added 14 each and Andie Sheppard and Guffy contributed 10 each. ACU had eight aces on the evening, led by Carrizales with three.

The Wildcats are now 11-16 overall and 6-9 in the WAC.