ABILENE — The Wildcats head west for one of their biggest road trips of the year, as they head to Utah Valley on Thursday and Seattle U on Saturday.
First, the Wildcat will match up with the Utah Valley Wolverines in Orem, Utah on Thursday at 7 p.m. CT. Then, ACU will head further northwest as they head to Seattle on Saturday at 3 p.m. CT for their second matchup of the season against the Seattle U Redhawks.
Both games out west will both stream live on ESPN+.
"We are going to continue focusing on our side of the net and trying to control our side as much as possible," head coach Ijeoma Moronu Alstrup said. "We always aim to win the serve and serve receive game, play well out of system, and have high-level first touches. If we can do those three things consistently over the weekend, I feel confident that we'll come back home happy."
ACU Storylines:
LAST WEEK IN THE BIG COUNTRY: The Wildcats had two big games in Big Country last week. First off, ACU went to Stephenville and took down the Tarleton State Texans, 3-2. Then back inside Moody Coliseum, the 'Cats fell to the top team in the WAC, UT Arlington, 3-0.
WAC STANDINGS: The Wildcats now have an 8-9 overall record and a 3-3 Western Athletic Conference record. ACU now sits in sixth place in the WAC standings. Utah Valley currently sits in fifth place right in front of ACU and Seattle U now sits at 1-5.
ROAD HAZARDS: ACU has had its struggles on the road this season, but finally got its first road win of the season last Thursday at Tarleton State. The Wildcats are 1-5 in all road games this season and 1-2 in all conference road games this year.
KOSS THE SERVICE BOSS: Sophomore setter Rachel Koss went on a tear from the service line last week. She finished the two games with nine aces, having a career-high seven aces on Thursday against Tarleton State.
FIVE SET WONDERS: The Wildcats are 4-0 this season when a game goes to five sets. Those include wins over Oral Roberts, California Baptist, Seattle U and Tarleton State.
SWINGING FROM THE PINS: Senior Bryley Steinhilber leads the Wildcats with 180 kills this season while hitting .164 percent. She also leads the team with 16 aces.
ACCESS DENIED: Two young middle blockers lead the Wildcats' blocking efforts this season. Sophomore Hannah Gonzales leads the way with 53 blocks and freshman Avery Thaler is second with 33 so far this season.
SET IT UP: Madeline Guffy leads the Wildcats' offense this season. She currently has 399 assists this season, one away from 400 assists. Rachel Koss surpassed the 100 assists mark, sitting at 101 assists so far this season.
DIG DEEP: Junior Sara Carrizales leads ACU with 180 digs so far this season. She also has a .920 reception percentage so far this season.
History with Utah Valley
- UVU leads the series, 4-0
- Current Streak: UVU, 4 wins
- Last ACU win: n/a
- Last UVU win: Oct. 26 2023, 3-0
Scouting the Wolverines
- The Wolverines are 12-6 overall and are 3-3 in conference play this season.
- Utah Valley sits in fifth in the Western Athletic Conference standings, sitting just above ACU.
- Avery Shewell leads all hitters with 226 kills so far this season. Shewell also leads the team with 31 aces.
- The Wolverines' offense is led by Evalyn Chism, this week's WAC Setter of the Week who has team team-best 632 assists. Lani Matavao leads her team with 246 digs and Bella Wooden leads the net defense with 100 blocks so far this season.
History with Seattle U
- The Wildcats lead the series, 3-1
- Current Streak: ACU, 1 win
- Last ACU win: Oct. 5 2024, 3-2
- Last SU win: Oct. 28 2023, 3-2
Scouting the Redhawks
- Seattle U is 3-13 so far this season and is 1-5 in conference play.
- The Redhawks are seventh in the conference standings, right below ACU.
- The Wildcats and the Redhawks have already faced off once this season, with the 'Cats winning 3-2 inside Moody Coliseum on October 5.
- Arianna Bilby leads Seattle U with 187 kills this season. Merima Smajlovic is second with 151 and also leads the team with 24 aces.
- Elif Teksoy has a team-best 346 assists. As for defense, Yasemin Elmas leads her team with 52 blocks and Katlyn Sipes leads the back row with 246 digs.
#Unshakable #GoWildcats
