NEW ORLEANS - Abilene Christian volleyball recorded its second consecutive sweep and third of the season with a 3-0 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff at the University of New Orleans' Human Performance Center on Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats closed out the New Orleans/Nicholls Crossover with their first consecutive wins of the year.
ACU tallied 12 service aces in the victory, its most since notching 12 versus Utah Valley on Sept. 23, 2023. The Wildcats collected 13 aces against Texas A&M-Commerce on Aug. 29, 2023. ACU engineered a .500 hitting percentage and outdid UAPB in kills, 45-22.
Hannah Gonzalez and
Aubrey Beaver paved the way for the Wildcats with nine kills apiece, with Gonzalez swinging at a .471 clip. She led ACU with four service aces and four block assists. Beaver added a couple aces, four digs and two block assists with a .33 hitting percentage.
Gonzalez was named to the New Orleans/Nicholls Crossover's All-Tournament Team.
Annaleise Sevier registered seven kills at a .500 mark to go with three block assists, while
Courtney Church picked up six kills.
Rachel Koss recorded 34 of the Wildcats' 42 assists, and
Brennan Ramirez statted five digs and two aces.
ACU came roaring out of the gates to claim a 15-5 lead at the midway point of the first set. The Golden Lions found some life with a 4-0 run to get within six points, but the Wildcats controlled the set the rest of the way to breeze to a 25-13 win. ACU earned four kills each from Gonzalez, Beaver and Church.
UAPB jumped to an early 6-4 lead to begin the second set, but a 10-2 ACU rally turned the tide. The Golden Lions didn't get closer than five points as the Wildcats kept their feet on the gas to grab a 25-17 victory. Gonzalez registered each of her four service aces in the set, while Sevier notched four kills.
The third set proved to be ACU's most successful despite gaining just a 12-8 lead to get started. The Wildcats allowed just four more points to the Golden Lions while finishing the match on a 9-1 run. Gonzalez and Beaver combined for seven kills in the 25-12 win while four different Wildcats picked up an ace.
ACU returns to Moody Coliseum at 3 p.m. Monday to take on Tulsa on Junior Cats Day. Elementary and middle school students from across the Big Country are invited to cheer on the Wildcats and learn more about the university. Select kids in attendance will have the opportunity to take on various in-match responsibilities.
