ACU volleyball swept the Wildcat Classic 3-0, improving to 8-4 for the program’s best start in the Division I era as the Wildcats head into conference play.

The Wildcats hosted the annual Wildcat Classic at Moody Coliseum Sept. 17-19 alongside Alumni Weekend, welcoming Louisiana Tech, Prairie View A&M and Stephen F. Austin.

ACU opened the tournament Thursday night with a 3-0 sweep of Louisiana Tech, earning their fifth win in the last six matches and improving to 6-4 for the program’s best 10-match start in the Division I era.

The Wildcats posted their highest attack percentage of the season against the Bulldogs at .341, finishing with 39 kills. 

Alyssa Todd, a freshman outside hitter from Aledo, recorded nine kills and a block, reaching 101 kills through 10 matches. Todd became the fastest freshman in the Division I era to reach 100 career kills.

Maddie Finnegan, a junior outside hitter and a Westmont transfer from Spokane, Washington, led ACU with 11 kills, one ace and one block. Reigning United Athletic Conference Player of the Week Hannah Gonzalez, a senior middle blocker from Lucas, Texas, added eight kills, two aces and four blocks.

The Wildcats finished the match in 90 minutes, taking the third set 25-15.

ACU carried the momentum into Friday’s matchup against Prairie View A&M, earning a 3-1 victory for their sixth win in seven matches.

Abby Christian, a senior defensive specialist from Kansas City, Missouri, moved into second place on ACU’s career service aces list with 101, adding three against the Panthers and moving within three of the program record. 

Rachel Koss, a senior setter from Freedom, Wisconsin, added four aces. Brennan Ramirez, a redshirt sophomore from Waxahachie, added 21 digs and an ace. 

Aubrey Beaver, a senior outside hitter from Murrieta, California, recorded 12 kills, combining with Gonzalez for 24. Gonzalez also added four blocks, including two solo blocks. 

The Wildcats closed the Classic on Saturday with a 3-1 victory over nonconference rival Stephen F. Austin, earning their first win over the Ladyjacks since 2017 and their seventh victory in the last eight matches.

Beaver led ACU with 12 kills, while Avery Thaler, a junior middle blocker from Fairfield, and Hadlee Welch, a sophomore right-side hitter from Lubbock, added nine apiece. Koss recorded her second double-double of the season with 41 assists and 12 digs, adding one ace and three blocks. Gonzalez finished with 13 kills, one ace and three blocks.

ACU took the first set 25-20 before SFA responded with a 25-15 win in the second. The Wildcats battled through the third set to win 25-22 before taking the fourth by the same score to complete the tournament sweep.

Head coach Ijeoma Moronu Alstrup said the victory was especially meaningful with ACU volleyball alumni in attendance.

“It was so much fun; they are a really good team and make it to the NCAA tournament year after year,” Moronu Alstrup said. “So for us to be a team striving to be there, to beat them is a really big deal for us.”

ACU wrapped up the Wildcat Classic with a 3-0 record, completing the program’s first three-match tournament sweep since 2023 and closing out nonconference play at 8-4. 

Three Wildcats were named to the All-Tournament Team: Ramirez, Koss and Gonzalez.

Ramirez led the Wildcats’ defense with 50 digs and 10 assists over the weekend. Koss finished with 109 assists, five kills, five aces, 20 digs and six blocks across three matches. Gonzalez capped off the weekend with 33 kills, 11 blocks, including three solo blocks, and three aces.

Gonzalez, who earned her second consecutive United Athletic Conference Player of the Week honor, said defeating SFA was her favorite moment of the weekend.

“It was the best feeling ever; I haven’t beaten them since I’ve been here,” Gonzalez said. “The rally in the fourth set when we were down but kept climbing back up, I had blockers on me, so Rachel switched the flow and set Aubrey; watching her get that kill was a good memory for me.”

The Wildcats open their first season in the UAC with road matchups against North Alabama on Thursday and West Georgia on Saturday.