On Monday night, ACU (11-17, 6-10) dropped its final regular season game of the year to Tarleton State (16-14, 7-9), three sets to one.
The Wildcats came into the final match of the season still in a major slump and were coming off of back-to-back losses, including having lost seven of their last eight games.
The Wildcats started the first set off slow, getting into an early 8-4 hole. However a 5-0 run from the Wildcats, which started from a kill from graduate middle blocker Brenna Box followed by four straight service aces from junior setter Madeline Guffy, gave the Wildcats the lead.
After three straight Tarleton points, ACU would go on a 6-0 run to take a 15-11 lead. The Wildcats would extend the lead to 19-13, thanks to two more kills, this time from sophomore outside hitter Ashli Edmiston.
The Wildcats looked like they had full control of the set, but the Texans would go on a 7-0 run to take a one-point lead. Back-to-back kills from junior outside hitter Bryley Steinhilber would tie the game at 24, but the Texans would take set one with the next two points and win 26-24.
The second set went back and forth with the two teams adding on points, but with a 12-10 lead, TSU began to pull away scoring six straight to make it an 18-10 lead. The Texans would have no problem holding onto the lead and would take the second set 25-17 to take a controlling 2-0 set lead.
In the third set, the Texans would once again hold a steady lead throughout a majority of the first half of the set. Down four points, the Wildcats would go on a seven point run, which included five forced attack errors from the Wildcats and ACU would take a 21-18 lead.
TSU would climb back into the set however, evening things up at 22 a piece. However, ACU would close out the set with three straight points, ending on a kill from Steinhilber.
In the fourth set, Tarleton would gradually build a lead, but the Wildcats were able to respond continuously and make it 20-19 late into the set. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, five straight Texan points would close out the set and give Tarleton the 3-1 set win.
Steinhilber led the team in kills with 14 followed by Box with nine. Guffy led all players with six service aces and 37 assists. Sophomore libero and defensive specialist Sara Carrizales led the team with 19 digs followed by redshirt junior outside hitter Andie Shepard with 12.
The Wildcats guaranteed their spot in the WAC tournament and head to Orem, UT where they will take on top seeded Stephen F. Austin at 5 p.m. on Thursday.
