ACU wins battle of Wildcats, 3-0, over Weber State

LUBBOCK - A day removed from being swept in a doubleheader by Texas Tech and Air Force, the Abilene Christian volleyball team somewhat returned the favor Saturday morning against Weber State, sweeping the Wildcats of the Big Sky Conference by scores of 25-22, 29-27 and 27-25 at United Supermarkets Arena.

In a wild two-hour match that featured 15 lead changes and 34 tie scores, ACU hit .192, dug out 47 of Weber State's 114 attacks and blocked 12.5 shots. Weber State also created a presence at the net with 9.0 blocks.

Junior outside hitter Jennie Loerch again led all players with 16 kills, while freshman Stephanie Scholeman had nine in addition to a team-high 12 digs and four block assists.
Senior Neely Borger also had a strong game with four kills on seven attempts and six blocks, one of which was a solo effort. Sophomore Lexi Mercier and senior Rachel Riley recorded six block assists as well.

Weber State nearly forced a game four after scoring four consecutive points in game three to take a 24-23 lead, but Riley tied the score on match point with the assist coming from junior setter Sarah Siemens - one of 38 she had this morning.

The lead quickly went back to WSU on the next possession at 25-24, however, ACU responded with a game and match-ending 3-0 run that included kills from Schoelman and Siemens plus a ball-handling error by Weber State's Taylor Christensen.

The score was tied on 16 occasions during game two, including seven times after both teams pushed past the 20-point plateau. ACU was the first to reach 25 points on one of 10 WSU service errors - and earned its 26th point in a similar fashion - but WSU rebounded each time on a kill from Audrey Biggs, who led her team with 12.

Loerch scored two of the next three points to put ACU ahead at 28-27, and on the final play of the game, Biggs was blocked by Riley and Borger.

Weber State was first to move past 20-points in game one, but quickly faltered as ACU finished the set on a 5-1 run. Borger and Siemens started the rally with a block, and then a kill by Borger tied the score a final time at 22-22. Schoelman scored the final three points with a block assist (Borger) and back-to-back kills.

ACU and Weber State each finished the Lone Star Showdown hosted by Texas Tech at 1-2. Air Force and the Red Raiders play later today.

The Wildcats return home Thursday for the start of Southland Conference play vs. Central Arkansas at 7 p.m.

All-Tournament Team
Lauren Douglass -- Texas Tech (MVP)
Mikia Mills -- Texas Tech  Audrey Biggs -- Weber State
Jennie Loerch -- Abilene Christian