ABILENE – Outside hitters
Jacey Smith and
Katelyn Mueller each recorded a double-double in leading the Abilene Christian volleyball team to its first win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Thursday night at Moody Coliseum.
Mueller hit .289 with 17 kills and 16 digs, while Smith delivered 14 kills and 11 digs in the five-set victory over the two-time defending Southland Conference champions. The Wildcats won by scores of 25-23, 18-25, 25-23, 24-26 and 15-11 to snap a three-match losing streak and improve to 7-13 overall and 3-5 within the Southland Conference.
The loss dropped the Islanders to 9-12 and 6-4.
ACU had an honest shot of wrapping up the match in four sets before letting a 21-17 lead slip away. The Islanders scored the next four points to tie the score at 21-21, and after ACU went back ahead at 23-21, the visitors received a kill from Brittany Gilpin (11K) followed by two Wildcat attack errors.
The home team would tie the score a final time (24-24) on Smith's fourth kill of the set, but Corpus Christi scored the final two points thanks to a kill from Morgan Williams (10K, .333) and an unfortunate error by Smith that sent tonight's proceedings to a fifth and final game.
The decisive set was as dramatic as could be expected with the two sides battling through seven ties and two lead changes. A solo block by Smith against Kristyn Nicholson snapped a 10-10 tie and gave the Wildcats the lead for good, as Smith and Walker (12K, 2.5 blocks) then delivered back-to-back kills. Walker followed with a solo block of her own – giving ACU 10 for the match – and Smith ended matters off
Kendall Bosse's 49th and final assist.
The offense, of course, can't get the ball into system without first receiving a good pass and tonight sophomore libero
Amanda Chapa was sensational late in the match, digging out several hard-driven attacks to finish with 21 digs.
ACU jumped out a 1-0 lead thanks to a strong finish after the Islanders and Williams tied the score at 22-22. Bosse killed a shot to bring the lead back to the Wildcats and Walker then dropped in one of her two service aces off the wrists of Gilpin, who was charged with six of her team's seven service errors.
Mueller finished the first set with five kills on nine attempts, including the set winner, but in game two the Islanders limited ACU to a .027 attack percentage with Mueller, Smith and freshman middle blocker
Lorin McNeil all being held to two kills apiece.
ACU never trailed in the third set but never quite developed a comfortable advantage either as Corpus Christi always remained within striking distance. The Wildcats reached set point at 24-21, but a kill by Mallory Moran (20K, .308) and attack error by McNeil quickly made it a one-point game at 24-23. Thankfully McNeil was able to slam home her next attempt off a rare assist from senior
Corinne Grandcolas, who delivered five kills and hit .308 over the final three sets.
The Wildcats return to action Saturday with a 7 p.m. match vs. Incarnate Word that follows the Homecoming Football game between ACU and Southeastern Louisiana. Admission to the volleyball match is free.
