Cats Win First Set But Fall to Tech, 3-1

ABILENE – After a strong start, Abilene Christian lost its first match this season, falling at Texas Tech in four sets on Sunday, 22-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20.
 
The Wildcats came out firing, swinging at a .351 clip in the first set. The numbers eventually failed to keep up with the effort from the team and Texas Tech remained unbeaten on the season.
 
Ashli Edmiston and Bryley Steinhilber paced the Wildcats offensively. Edmiston logged 20 kills and Steinhilber added 10. The pair accounted for 86 of ACU's 150 attacks.
 
Madeline Guffy had 39 assists and four aces.
 
Defensively, Sara Carrizales led the Cats with 23 digs and Steinhilber added 11. Braden Bossier was a part of three blocks.
 
Carrizales earned a spot on the All-Tournament team.
 
"We knew we were heading in to a battle and we managed that well for big parts of the game," said ACU Head Coach Ijeoma Moronu ALstrup. "Our libero and DS's did a great job of giving us opportunities to score in transition. One of our goals for the weekend was to keep improving throughout the weekend and we did just that. We still have areas we need to improve on, and will work on those in the coming week."
 
ACU gets a shot at Texas Tech in Abilene next month.
 
ACU gets back to action on Tuesday at home against Texas A&M-Commerce at 6 p.m. before hosting its own tournament on Friday and Saturday. The Cats host Providence, North Dakota and Grambling next weekend.
 
"We are excited to get another shot at Tech, but right now we are fully focused on our upcoming game against Texas A&M-Commerce," Moronu Alstrup said.