ABILENE – A pair of nationally ranked teams await the ACU volleyball team this weekend as the Wildcats travel to Washburn for the 2010 Lady Blues Fall Classic. The Wildcats will hook up with Southwest Baptist and Nebraska-Omaha on Friday before finishing with #11 Emporia State and #12 Truman State.
Match: ACU-RV (10-2, 1-0 LSC) vs. SBU (6-7, 1-4 MIAA) vs. UNO (9-5, 2-4 MIAA)
vs. #11 - ESU (10-2, 4-1 MIAA) vs. #12 - TSU (12-2, 5-1 MIAA)
When: Oct. 1-2
Where: Topeka, Kansas (Lee Arena)
Internet Video and Audio: none
Live stats: none
LAST TIME OUT
ACU Volleyball extended their season long winning streak to nine games with wins over Texas Women's and Texas A&M-Commerce. The Wildcats picked up a 3-1 win over the Pioneers on Thursday before sweeping the Lions, 3-0 on Saturday afternoon. Senior
Shawna Hines recorded her 500th block with 10 on the weekend she has 508 and moved into second place on the Wildcats all-time blocks list.
500
Shawna Hines became only the second Wildcat to record over 500 blocks in her career over the weekend adding 10 blocks against TWU and A&M-Commerce. The senior sits alone in second place with 508 blocks, behind leader Linda Evans (676).
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Wildcats have proven themselves as one of the league's top defensive teams and it shows in the standings as they hold the top spot with West Texas A&M. However as a team ACU sits at the top of two major defensive categories blocks (2.59) and opp. hitting percentage (.127) hoping that defense does win championships.
TURN UP THE PRESSURE
Proving the Wildcats rely on solid defense they have put the pressure on their opponents forcing them into more than 100 more errors than the Wildcats commit. ACU has committed 183 errors while their opponents have committed 287 contributing to the difference in hitting percentage of .100 (.227-ACU; .127-opp.)
LEAGUE LEADERS
While the Wildcats hold the top spot in several categories as a team individually ACU players near the top of LSC leader board as well. Below is a look at Wildcats ranking in the top 5 of the LSC:
Hitting pct.....................
Shawna Hines - .348 ..........................................1st
Kills .............................
Shawna Hines - 124/2.88set ..............................5th
Assists...........................IJ Moronu - 413/9.60set ....................................2nd
Blocks............................
Shawna Hines - 62/1.44set ................................1st
Points ............................Hines - 159/3.71set; Hutt - 138/3.37set ............3rd/6th
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
With 15 of thier first 16 matches coming on the road the Wildcats will finish their longest road swing of the season this weekend in Topeka, Kansas. As ACU finishes the tough portion of their schedule they are currently 5-2 on neutral floors and have gone 3-0 in true road matches.
RECORD WATCH
While
Shawna Hines and IJ Moronu make their assault on the ACU record books, junior
Kelsie Edwards is working her way into the books as well. After posting the fourth best season for digs with 528 last season Edwards currently has 906 for her career and is just 352 outside of the top 10 a number that could be attained this season. Below is a look where Moronu and Hines both stand all-time in the ACU record books for assists and blocks.
HOME SWEET HOME
Inside Moody Coliseum ACU has an 19 game winning streak dating back to Sept. 18, 2008. After posting a 13-0 record at home last season the Wildcats are 21-1 over the last two season at Moody Coliseum with their win over Tarleton State.
UP NEXT
ACU will return to Moody Coliseum next week beginning a four game home stand. The Wildcats will open a rare non-conference match with Angelo State before hosting Central Oklahoma and Southwestern Oklahoma in Lone Star Conference action.
