Cats Win Five-Set Thriller at CBU

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Bryley Steinhilber had a career-high 25 kills and Abilene Christian held off a rally by California Baptist for a 3-2 win.
 
The Wildcats won it 25-20, 25-23, 19-25, 23-25, 16-14.
 
"I'm really proud of the way we finished the match today," said ACU Head Coach Ijeoma Moronu Alstrup. "We've talked a lot about being mentally tough and to be able to finish a five-set match after losing in the same way is huge for our mental game. Junior Bryley had a fantastic match and was someone that we could rely on all five sets.  I'm very pleased that every single wildcat stepped on the court and was able to make a difference. That was truly a team win that every player had a hand in. We are excited to continue conference play and cannot wait to be back home in Moody in front of our amazing fans. Go Wildcats!"
 
ACU used a 4-0 run in the first set to get a 16-12 lead and was able to withstand all rallies from there. Ashli Edmiston ended the set with one of her 13 kills in the match.
 
Steinhilber got a kill and Andie Sheppard added an ace to give the Cats a 23-19 lead in the second set. CBU got within 24-23 before Breanna Box ended the drama and the set with a kill.
 
CBU held the Cats to their worst hitting percentage of the match in the third set and then finished off the fourth set with consecutive aces.
 
The Lancers got out to an 8-3 lead in the final set. Braden Bossier had a kill and Abby Christian added an ace during a 4-0 ACU run to make it 8-7.
 
CBU led 13-10 when the Steinhilber got a kill that began a four-point run for a 14-13 lead.
 
The Lancers forced extra rallies with a kill but it only delayed the ACU win as Steinhilber finished things with a kill and an ace.
 
Madeline Guffy had 49 assists for the match and Christianson finished with three aces.
 
Box and Steinhilber were in on four blocks apiece. Sheppard had a tema-high 19 digs and Sara Carrizales added 13.
 
The Cats host Southern Utah in a 6 p.m. contest on Thursday.