ALBUQUERQUE - Abilene Christian volleyball started its 2016 campaign with a pair of tough losses to Idaho and New Mexico Friday at the Lobos' Johnson Center. The Wildcats fell 3-0 to the host school and dropped a 3-1 decision in the late afternoon to the Vandals.
Idaho won the opening two sets by scores of 25-12 and 25-19, but the Wildcats battled back to claim the third set, 25-23, only to lose the fourth, 25-14, as they were hurt by a negative hitting percentage.
There were three lead changes and four ties in the third game, the last of which took place at 13-13 following an attacking error by sophomore
Jacey Smith. The Wildcats then scored the next three points on kills from sophomores
Kendall Bosse and Smith and freshman
Courtney Miller.
Miller's point forced the Vandals to burn a timeout, but they wouldn't get any closer than a point as ACU pulled away with a 6-4 run that gave the Wildcats their largest lead at four points, 21-17.
Idaho made a final push to get within a point at 24-23, but following a block by Vandals Kaela Straw and DeVonne Ryter, Smith delivered the game point off an assist from Bosse.
Smith received the most attack attempts vs. Idaho with 41 and ended up with 11 kills to go with a pair of block assists. Bosse dished out 28 assists, while the defensive side was led by
Dorothy Swanson's 14 digs and Miller's six block assists.
Miller also hit .667, registering four kills on six attemtps, but the Vandals countered with solid performances from Straw (13 kills, .476) and Sarah Sharp (12 kills).
The Wildcats began their season with a 3-0 loss to the Lobos by scores of 25-25, 25-19 and 25-13. Bosse registered a 19 assist, 11 dig double-double, while her classmate Smith registered a team-high six kills on 26 attempts.
ACU additionally blocked eight shots to six for the Lobos and were led at the net by sophomore
Lauren Walker's five block assists.
The Lobos hit .235 led by Victoria Spragg's seven kills and .700 hitting percentage and 10 kills on 20 attempst by Cassie House.
Junior
Corinne Grandcolas finished the UNM match with nine points for the Wildcats, contributing five kills, two aces and four block assists.
The Wildcats complete their stay at the New Mexico Tournament with matches against 2015 NCAA Qualifers Fairfield and Arizona State.
