ABILENE – Head Abilene Christian volleyball coach
Angela Mooney Thursday officially announced the additions of
Eighmy Dobbins and
Lexie Rawls to the Wildcats' 2018 beach and indoor rosters. Dobbins is a sophomore transfer from Texas Tech, and Rawls comes to ACU after spending her first collegiate semester at Baylor.
"I'm thrilled to add Eighmy and Lexie, they are a great fit within our team and school," said Mooney, who led her first Wildcats' team to the Southland Conference Championship match last November. "They're both coming from successful Big 12 programs that promote a competitive atmosphere, so they've arrived here with plenty of great experience and ability to train at a high level.
"Eighmy is going to add depth to our team as a knowledgeable six-rotation outside hitter, and Lexi will make an immediate impact at the libero / defensive specialist position. It's great to have them in place early to learn our systems."
A 5-foot-10 inch attacker who totaled 27 sets for the Red Raiders during the past two seasons, Dobbins previously was a key member of the 2015 Texas 4A State Champion team at Argyle High School. She was voted MVP of that year's state championship match in addition to receiving player of the year honors from the Texas Sports Writers (4A) and
LoneStarVolleyball.com (Small School).
"I was kind of looking at ACU before my first commitment," said Dobbins, "and I really liked the Abilene community, but decided to take a chance on Texas Tech. But I just wanted to play more and felt ACU would be the perfect place to complete my collegiate career."
Dobbins' decorated résumé additionally includes several all-state citations, consecutive area and district offensive player of the year trophies, a spot on the TGCA Legacy All-Star Team, and All-American Highest Honorable Mention from
PrepVolleyball.com.
Academically, Dobbins' claimed a 4.0 grade-point average while at Texas Tech and was honored with a spot on the 2017 Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team.
Rawls is a 2017 graduate of Trinity Christian and younger sister of former ACU golfer Hunter Rawls. This past fall she appeared in only one match for the 24-7 Bears after earning four letters and multiple individual and accolades with the Lions.
A libero and defensive specialist, the 5-6 Rawls was part of three 4A TAPPS state championship teams. Twice she was named all state, and during her junior and senior years, she served as team captain. Rawls also earned Defensive Player of the Year honors at the district level, and on the track she placed third in 4x100-meter relay at the state meet.
"I really loved my team at Baylor," said Rawls. "I worked with an awesome coach and staff, but felt I could compete better at this level. My older brother (Hunter) also golfed here and he loved the school and community, so I've come here to grow spiritually and as a volleyball player."
Rawls was a four-year member of her school's National Honor Society and is majoring in kinesiology at ACU. Dobbins' major is advertising and public relations.
