Mock, Wildcats set for big year
8/9/2010 4:59:45 PM | Women's Volleyball
ABILENE – The ACU Wildcats have been one of the winningest teams in NCAA Division II volleyball over the last two seasons, but they don't have anything to show for their victories.
A 55-15 record – including 29-6 last year – hasn't been good enough to get the Wildcats into the NCAA Division II South Central Region Tournament. In each of the last two years, key losses early and a failure to beat West Texas A&M in the Lone Star Conference Post-Season Tournament championship match have kept the Wildcats from earning either an at-large or automatic bid to the tournament.
So, fifth-year head coach Kellen Mock's message to her team beginning Sunday when they report will be simple: Don't let this team's fate be determined by anyone outside the ACU locker room.
"From Day One – and that's Sunday – we've got to work and prepare for every single match like it's the one that will determine the outcome of our season," she said. "We've learned the hard way that we can't leave our fate in the hands of a committee. We've got to take care of ourselves because no one else is going to be watching out for us."
Fortunately for Mock, the Wildcats should be well-equipped to take care of themselves. They return third team AVCA all-America middle blocker Shawna Hines, as well all-America candidates E.J. Moronu (setter), Jennie Hutt (outside hitter) and Jordan Schilling (outside hitter), as well as libero Kelsie Edwards.
Several promising sophomores and a solid recruiting class have Mock very excited about the 2010 season.
"We have a really good opportunity in front of us to do some things that haven't been done here in a while," she said. "It all comes down to preparation and work. How hard are we willing to prepare, and how hard are we willing to work?"
Those questions will begin to be answered Sunday when players report and Monday when the team begins practice. The Wildcats will begin the season Sept. 3-4 at the Colorado School of Mines Tournament in Golden, Colo.
