ABILENE — The Wildcats ended their home opener on a happy note, sweeping the Alabama A&M Bulldogs, 3-0, to open their play in the Wildcat Classic.
The Wildcats won the three sets 25-18, 26-24 and 25-19.
To start the first set, the Wildcats went on a quick 4-1 run to start the match. The score was tied 12-12, but the 'Cats went on a 9-2 run to give themselves a comfortable lead to end the match. ACU finished the set with a season-best .360 hitting percentage.
The second set was slightly more contested, with ACU hitting .219 and Alabama A&M hitting .222 in the set. But a clutch service ace by serving specialist Delanna Harper and kills from senior Bryley Steinhilber and freshman Avery Thaler helped ACU clinch the second match.
In the final set of the match, the Wildcats went on a 6-1 run and never looked back. The 'Cats held the Bulldogs -.026 hitting percentage, giving ACU all the momentum and the ability to clinch the match.
The Wildcats outperformed the Bulldogs in every statistical category. ACU had 35 kills to AAMU's 29, nine blocks to the Bulldogs five, 34 assists to 25 plus 40 digs to AAMU's 34. The biggest statistical difference came with aces, with ACU tying their season high with 10 aces on the night, with Alabama A&M only having four.
Steinhilber led the way both offensively and defensively for ACU, finishing the match with a double-double of 10 kills and 10 digs, while also adding two aces.
Sophomore middle blocker Hannah Gonzalez tied Steinhilber with a team-best 10 kills, while also leading the team with four blocks. Nieko Thomas also added three blocks and right side Sasha Stotler added two.
Sophomore Izabelle Larson led the way with three of the Wildcats aces while also adding nine kills. Sophomore Abby Christian also added two kills for ACU. Senior Madeline Guffy also had 30 of the Wildcats' 34 assists on the evening.
Up next, the Wildcats close out the Wildcat Classic with a match against Oral Roberts on Friday, Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. CT. Earlier Thursday afternoon, the Golden Eagles defeated the Bulldogs in four sets.
You can watch the last game of the Wildcat Classic on ESPN+, or you can keep track of the 'Cats on social media on Instagram, X, Facebook and acusports.com.
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