ABILENE, Texas — The Wildcats will hope to snap a seven-game losing streak in the final two games in Moody Coliseum this weekend as they take on Utah Valley on Thursday at Southern Utah on Monday.
Up first, ACU will try and earn the programs first ever win against Utah Valley on Thursday, November 7 at 6 p.m. for Hawaiian Night. Then, to wrap up play at Moody Coliseum this season, the Wildcats will face the Southern Utah Thunderbirds on Saturday Nov. 9 at 11 a.m. for Senior Day. Two seniors will be honored, Bryley Steinhilber and Madeline Guffy.
The final two games in Moody Coliseum this season will also stream live on ESPN+.
ACU Storylines:
LAST WEEK IN TEXAS: The Wildcats dropped another two games over the weekend, with losses to Grand Canyon and UT Arlington. ACU was swept by the Lopes on Thursday and swept by the Mavericks on Monday. This extended the 'Cats losing streak to seven games, their last win being on October 10 at Tarleton State
WAC STANDINGS: The 'Cats are 8-15 overall and 3-7 in WAC play, good for seventh in the conference standings. UT Arlington is still at the top of the standings and have clinched a tournament bid, due to being 12-0 in conference play. Grand Canyon, Utah Valley, Utah Tech, Southern Utah and California Baptist are ahead of the Wildcats in the standings. Two teams are behind the Wildcats, those being Seattle U and Tarleton State. The top eight teams will make the WAC tournament in Arlington in three weeks.
TOUGH HOMESTRETCH: Over the last four games of the season, three of the games ACU will play are against teams in the top five in the conference. That includes matches against Grand Canyon, Utah Valley and Southern Utah.
FIVE SET WONDERS: The Wildcats are still 4-0 this season when a match goes to five sets. Those include wins over Oral Roberts, California Baptist, Seattle U and Tarleton State.
SUPER BRYLEY: Senior outside Bryley Steinhilber leads the Wildcats in many categories. She leads the team with 243 kills, 277 points, 222 digs and 22 aces. She also has a .167 hitting percentage, good for second best out of the ACU pin hitters.
UP THE MIDDLE: Hannah Gonzalez has continued to build on her sophomore campaign. She is second on the team with 181 kills while hitting a team high .231 percent. Gonzalez also has a team best 63 blocks so far this season.
SETTING UP FOR SUCCESS: Senior setter Madeline Guffy leads the team with 534 assists this season. Guffy is also close to hitting a career milestone, being 39 assists away from reaching the 2,000 career assists milestone.
LIBERO ACTION: As of late, sophomore defensive specialist Abby Christian has taken over libero duties for the Wildcats. She has earned 57 digs over the last four games since become the Wildcats' lead libero.
History with Utah Valley
- UVU leads the series, 5-0
- Current Streak: UVU, 5 wins
- Last ACU win: n/a
- Last UVU win: Oct. 17 2024, 3-0
Scouting the Wolverines
- Utah Valley is 16-8 so far this season, sitting at 7-5 in WAC play.
- The Wolverines are ranked fourth in the WAC, just below UT Arlington, Utah Tech and Grand Canyon, who have clinched spots in the WAC tournament starting Nov. 21.
- Sami Blackett leads all hitters for UVU with 348 kills so far this season. Avery Shewell is right behind her with 306 kills whiles also have a team best 39 aces.
- Bella Wooden leads the WAC with 154 blocks and setter Evelyn Chism leads the WAC with 901 assists this season. Lani Matavao also leads the backrow with 357 digs this season.
History with Southern Utah
- The Thunderbirds lead the series, 2-1
- Current Streak: SUU, 1 win
- Last ACU win: Oct. 5 2023, 3-0
- Last SUU win: Oct. 12 2024, 3-0
Scouting the Thunderbirds
- Southern Utah is 9-15 so far this season, and is 5-7 in conference play.
- The Thunderbirds are ranked fifth in the WAC, only being two games ahead of the Wildcats who sit in seventh.
- Andrea Spasojevic leads the Thundrbirds in three categories. Spasojevic has 266 kills, 303 digs and 31 aces this season.
- Hana Makonova leads the team with 62 blocks while Teniyah Leuluai leads the offense with 561 assists.
#Unshakeable #GoWildcats
