Wildcats head to Mizzou for weekend tourney

FRIDAY vs. MISSOURI

SERIES HISTORY VS. MISSOURI

• ALL-TIME | First meeting
• LAST MEETING | n/a
• STREAK | n/a
• IN ABILENE | n/a
• IN COLUMBIA | n/a
• NEUTRAL | n/a
• POSTSEASON | n/a

FRIDAY vs. NORTHWESTERN ST.

SERIES HISTORY VS. NORTHWESTERN STATE

• ALL-TIME | 11th meeting (ACU leads, 6-4)
• LAST MEETING | ACU 3, Northwestern State 0 (Mar. 18, 2021 - Abilene)
• STREAK | ACU, W1
• IN ABILENE | ACU leads 3-2
• IN NATCHITOCHES | ACU leads 3-2
• NEUTRAL | n/a
• POSTSEASON | n/a

SATURDAY vs. NEW MEXICO

SERIES HISTORY VS. MISSOURI STATE

• ALL-TIME | First meeting
• LAST MEETING | n/a
• STREAK | n/a
• IN ABILENE | n/a
• IN SPRINGFIELD | n/a
• NEUTRAL | n/a
• POSTSEASON | n/a

ABILENE - The Wildcats are backing in action this weekend after dropping their opening two matches in Albuquerque last weekend. Despite two hard-fought losses, the team put together some solid performances, including breaking a program record for digs in a four-set match. While the defense has shined and kept the team in rallies, the offense has shown flashes of greatness as well.

A LOOK AT THE 'CATS

• DIGGING DEEP: The team posted their most digs in a four-set match with 89 against the Lobos last Saturday. Libero Logan Browning also set a new career-high with 24 in the match. Four different Wildcats posted double-doubles on the weekend that included digs.
• RETURNERS: The team lost two key starters from a season ago, but bring back a solid core of players who have a great wealth of experience on the court. Madison Rohre returns for her fifth season of action, while Brea Box and Logan Browning look to put together their best foot forward in their senior season. Jada Birkel, Londyn Gray, and Rachel Crismore round out the senior class and bring a great deal of leadership and talent to the court. Other key returners include Braden Bossier, Bryley Steinhilber and Andie Sheppard who could all be impact players this season.
• NEWCOMERS: The Wildcats brought in five new players this fall with each player having a chance to make an impact in their first season. Sophomore setter Madeline Guffy impressed in the team's scrimmage and both Emily Mekelburg and Ashli Edmiston could be key players on the outside.
• THE BLAIR ERA: Alisa Blair returns to the helm of a program for the first time since spending three seasons as head coach with the Hill College volleyball program where she went 83-38 during her tenure. Blair was instrumental in the success of programs at Central Oklahoma and, most recently, SFA as an assistant and will now strive to bring that same success to Abilene.

SCOUTING MISSOURI (1-2)

• The Tigers are coming off a weekend where they grabbed a win over Northern Kentucky before dropping matches to third-ranked Louisville and South Dakota. 
• The team put together a balanced attack from the pins with their outsides each tallying over 35 kills on the weekend. In a limited number of attempts, they also had great efficiency out of the middle, with both hitters combining to hit over .300. 
• In 13 sets last weekend, the Tigers had 31 blocks to average nearly 2.5 blocks per set.

SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN STATE (2-1)

• The Demons are coming off of a successful weekend in Stephenville where they battled in two five-set matches for wins. 
• Breanna Burrell led the team in kills, averaging 2.54 kills per set, while hitting an efficient .247 from the outside. 
• The team is ranked 15th nationally for blocks, averaging 3.0 per set through three matches. Reaghan Thompson led the way with 12 solo blocks and seven block assists last weekend.  

SCOUTING MISSOURI STATE (1-2)

• The Bears opened the season with a win over Tennessee Tech before dropping matches to Central Arkansas and Oral Roberts last weekend. 
• Maddy Bushnell was second on the team in kills last weekend with 33 out of the middle on an efficient .280 hitting percentage. 
• The team put together a tough defensive effort and averaged nearly 18 digs per set in their three games. Kate Owen led the team with 62 digs on the weekend.