COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Wichita State – which is receiving votes in this week's AVCA Coaches' Poll – survived a late charge in the third set by Abilene Christian volleyball to leave Texas A&M's Reed Arena Friday morning with 3-0 victory.
The Shockers won by scores of 25-17, 25-12 and 25-21 to lift their early-season record to 3-1, while the Wildcats fell to 0-4.
The two sides exchanged the lead twice and were tied six times in the early goings of game three until WSU capitalized on several Wildcat errors to helo break a 7-7 deadlock. The Shockers padded their lead to as many as five points, but after reaching a 22-17 lead, the Wildcats won four of the next five points to close the gap to 23-21.
Lexi Mercier was part of two blocks during this stretch;
Dorothy Swanson also recorded a kill, while their last point came off one of 14 WSU attack errors. Following that miscue, the Shockers twice found Shimen Fayad who put the game and match away with consecutive kills off assists from setter Emily Hiebert, who led all players today with 33.
Jody Larson led WSU's offense with 11 kills and was part of a team effort that posted a .300 hitting percentage. The Shockers' defense, meanwhile, was responsible for 4.0 blocks and 49 digs off 96 ACU attacks.
For the Wildcats, freshman
Kendall Bosse led her side with seven kills, while classmate
Lauren Walker had six to finish with 8.0 points (one solo block and an ace).
Mercier's morning included a .444 hitting percentage (4-of-9 with no errors) and 4.0 blocks, and newcomer
Lillian Drever dug out the most attacks for ACU with 12.
Siemens had 21 assists.
The Wildcats return to action Saturday with a doubleheader vs. New Mexico State (10 a.m.) and Texas A&M. ACU's 4:30 p.m. match against the Aggies will be broadcast on
SEC Network +.
