WACO — The Wildcats gained their first win of the 2024 season on Friday night, taking down the Campbell Fighting Camels, 3-1.
"We are very excited that we were able to get our first win of the season against a great opponent in Campbell," head coach Ijeoma Moronu Alstrup said. "I'm proud of the overall performance of the team and our ability to rebound from the Baylor loss and refocus on what was ahead of us. There's so much more to come."
Though the Wildcats dropped the first set, 17-25, they were able to rally and take the next three sets 25-21, 25-17 and 25-22.
In the first set, the Wildcats and Camels kept it close, but Campbell finished the set on a 7-2 run to take the set. In the second set, the two programs kept the set close like the second set, but this time, the 'Cats closed out the set on a 6-2 run to tie the match.
Went on a 6-0 run to take control of the momentum in the match, part of that run included four aces in the run from senior Bryley Steinhilber. Campbell tried to respond but was unable to come back in the third set.
Once ACU took the third set, the Wildcats had all the momentum for the rest of the match. In the fourth set, the Wildcats started the set on a 3-0 run, then went on a 6-1 run midway through to extend the lead in the fourth set. ACU was able to keep the Fighting Camels at a safe distance to win the final set.
By the end of the match, ACU had the upper hand on all the statistical categories except blocking. The Wildcats finished the match with 51 kills, 64 digs, 39 assists and seven aces.
Steinhilber impacted the match in almost every facet of the game, leading the team with 15 kills, 18 digs and six aces.
Hannah Gonzalez was another Wildcat who finished in double digits in hitting with 10 kills, while she also led ACU blocking efforts with six blocks, a career-high. Izabelle Larson continued her strong performance throughout the tournament overall also having 10 kills and 13 digs on the match. Nieko Thomas led all hitters with a .333 hitting performance, adding six kills and three blocks.
Madeline Guffy finished the game with 25 assists with Rachel Koss also adding 11 assists alongside three blocks. Abby Christian also added 10 digs to help ACU's backline.
"Both of our setters did a good job connecting with our middles Hannah Gonzalez and Nieko Thomas," Moronu Alstrup said, "and both middles had great offensive nights and strong defensive touches. Sara Carrizales at libero provided us with stability both on serve receive and defense. Sophomore Abby Christian also contributed greatly with her serve pressure and defensive abilities."
The Wildcats are now 1-1 on the season and at the Baylor Classic. Up next, the Wildcats have a day off before taking on Tulsa at 1 p.m. on Sunday. The Golden Hurricanes won their opening match against the Fighting Camels in straight sets on Friday afternoon.
You can follow the Wildcats' upcoming match against Tulsa on Instagram, X, Facebook and acusports.com.
