ABILENE – The Abilene Christian volleyball team is partnering with
Restore Innocence at several campus events this week in an effort to raise awareness about child trafficking issues and its impact on victims here in the United States.
As a faith-based, 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, Restore Innocence is dedicated to helping victims of child trafficking, and the Wildcats are assisting in its mission by accepting donations of new clothing and personal hygiene products,
inviting its founder Jason Korth to speak at a Thursday night chapel forum, and wearing black jerseys and bows for Friday night's 'Black Out' match vs. Eastern New Mexico.
“Partnering with Restore Innocence gives us the opportunity to get involved in multiple ways over the next several months,” said ACU assistant volleyball coach
Jason Bibler, “and it's good to see the team take ownership of a cause and directly impact the lives of young girls across the country.”
The team's collection drive to fill 'restoration bags' runs through Friday afternoon at the McGlothlin Campus Center, and members are specifically looking to receive donations of new clothing (such as sweatpants, sweatshirts and sandals) as well as hygiene products ranging from toothpaste and shampoo to deodorant and hair brushes.
Once filled, the restoration bags are shipped across the country to various FBI victim specialists, who are then responsible for distributing the items to girls once they're pulled off the streets or rescued during a sting operation. Restore Innocence sees this program as one that helps establish a trusting link between law enforcement and rescued victims.
In addition to collecting donations, the organization also raises funds for its
Cinderella House project, and hosts an
online store where supporters can purchase 'Black Bow' products. The bow, which will be worn by ACU players when they face the Zias, represents the darkness of the crime of child trafficking yet the hope of innocence restored.
On the court, ACU (7-12, 3-6 Lone Star Conference) is in the midst of six-match homestand and have hopes of bouncing back from a tough 3-2 loss Tuesday night to regional rival Dallas Baptist. The Wildcats received several outstanding individual performances, including 20 kills from
Rachel Riley and 36 digs from
Madison Hoover, but they weren't enough to prevent a Patriot comeback during the final two sets, which they won 25-28 and 18-16.
Eastern New Mexico comes to Abilene at 6-12 and last in the conference at 1-7. ACU won their first meeting this season, 3-2, in Portales, N.M., as sophomore
Sara Oxford led the offense with 18 kills, including the match-winner. The Wildcats began the match down 2-1, but won set four, 25-17, followed by a 15-13 decision in set five.
ACU also played No. 8 West Texas A&M (16-2, 7-1 LSC) close on the road in their first showdown on Sept. 14, during which the Wildcats hung with the Lady Buffs in each set before ultimately falling by scores of 25-23, 25-23, 25-21. ACU rallied in both games one and two late only to fall late, and then let an early 10-3 lead slip away in game three.
The Wildcats haven't beat West Texas A&M since 2005 or won a set since 2009, making Saturday's 2 p.m. match their last chance to do so unless they meet again during the conference postseason tournament.
West Texas A&M has won the last six conference titles, and 11 of the last 13, with only ACU being able to break their hold during a two-year stretch from 2004 to 2005.
Live statistics will be provided for both of this weekend's matches.
