Wildcats Sweep Southern Utah

ABILENE – Abilene Christian came out firing and cruised to a three-set win over Southern Utah, 25-18, 25-16, 25-16 on Thursday.
 
The Cats held the Thunderbirds to a negative attack percentage in the first set. ACU got out to a 6-0 lead with two kills by Ashli Edmiston, one by Bryley Steinhilber and three SUU attack errors.
 
The Wildcats led by as many as 11 points in the set, which allowed them to withstand a late six-point surge by Southern. Hannah Gonzalez ended the drama with a kill.
 
Two Steinhilber aces and a kill by Alexis Strong propelled the Wildcats to an early 5-1 lead in the second set and SUU was only able to get as close as three points from there.
 
The Cats broke open a 5-4 third set with a 7-0 run fueled by three Abby Christian aces, kills by Steinhilber and Edmiston, and a block by Edmiston. Gonzalez and Steinhilber had two kills each during a 5-0 ACU run for a 19-8 lead and the Wildcats cruised to the win.
 
"I thought we did a really good job controlling things on our side," said ACU Head Coach Ijeoma Moronu Alstrup. "It's always good to get a lot of people in the match and give them playing time."
 
Steinhilber had 11 kills and Braden Bossier added 11 to pace the Cats while Madeline Guffy collected 29 assists. Christian finished with five aces.
 
Gonzalez was in on three blocks. Steinhilber led ACU with 15 digs and Sara Carrizales added 11.