Thursday, October 8
Abilene, Texas
6 p.m.
Abilene Christian
12-5,4-1UAC
3
vs
1
UT Arlington
7-10,1-4UAC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UT Arlington | 26 | 27 | 26 | 22 | 1 |
| Abilene Christian | 28 | 25 | 28 | 25 | 3 |
Photo by: Kate Evans
Wildcats Win Fourth Straight in Slugfest Versus Mavericks
10/8/2026 10:31:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
ABILENE — Abilene Christian volleyball came out on top in a rockfight versus UT Arlington with a 3-1 win at Moody Coliseum on Thursday night. The Wildcats won their fourth match in a row to improve to 4-1 in United Athletic Conference action, matching their best start to conference play since 2010.
ACU won its sixth straight match to improve to 7-2 at Moody Coliseum. It marked the Wildcats' 11th victory in their past 13 contests and their fourth consecutive win versus UT Arlington. ACU now hits the road for three matches in a row, beginning versus Tarleton State at 1 p.m. Saturday in Stephenville, Texas.
Aubrey Beaver delivered her second straight 20-plus-kill performance, tallying 21 kills at a .300 attack percentage alongside two blocks. It's tied for the most kills by a Wildcat this season. Hannah Gonzalez complemented her with 19 kills at a .424 clip with a service ace and two blocks. Â The Wildcats amassed 9.5 blocks.
Avery Thaler and Hadlee Welch combined for 11 kills with five and three blocks, respectively. Rachel Koss captained the offense with a season-high 58 assists, coming within two of her career best. She did match her career high with four blocks. ACU totaled 62 assists, tied for its third-most in a DI four-set match.
Brennan Ramirez patrolled the defense with 28 digs, one shy of her career best. She had no errors on 44 receptions and chipped in an ace. Abby Christian and Maddie Finnegan added 14 and 11 digs, respectively. The Wildcats' 79 digs are their most in four sets this season.
The opening frame set the tone for a match that was tied 23 times and featured eight lead changes. Both teams traded points before ACU built a cushion with a 15-12 lead at the media timeout. The Wildcats moved ahead by as much as five, but the Mavericks rallied to tie the score at 23. UT Arlington fended off ACU's set point three times before a pair of Gonzalez kills clinched a 28-26 victory for the Wildcats. The two teams were tied on 11 occasions.
Gonzalez and Beaver each had five kills and a block, with the former crafting an .833 attack percentage. Koss totaled 17 assists, and Ramirez had 12 digs.
The roller coaster continued with five ties and four lead changes in the second set. The Mavericks took the first three points and led 15-12 at the halfway point. Their lead swelled to as much as five at 19-14, but the Wildcats answered with a 7-0 run to move in front, 21-19. UT Arlington responded to take a 24-23 edge before ACU grabbed a 25-24 advantage of its own. The Mavericks scored the final three points on their way to a 27-25 win.
Beaver and Gonzalez combined for nine kills, while Thaler had a hand in three blocks. Koss dished out 13 assists.
UT Arlington engineered another hot start with a 5-1 lead before ACU evened the score at 9. The Mavericks retook a slim advantage through much of the set, including a 23-20 edge. They reached set point at 24-22, but the Wildcats were hard to kill, knotting the score again.
ACU fought off two more UT Arlington set points, ending the frame with three straight points for a 28-26 win. The Wildcats sealed it with two Gonzalez kills and one by Izabelle Larson, her seventh of the season. Gonzalez had six kills and an ace, while Koss collected 14 assists.
Beaver exploded for nine kills at .533 in the fourth set to help ACU clinch the match. Six straight points put the Wildcats in front, 9-5, and gave them a lead they wouldn't lose. UT Arlington battled to get within a point at 21-20, but ACU held strong en route to a 25-22 victory. Gonzalez turned in four kills and two blocks, while Koss aided her on both blocks alongside 14 assists.
ACU won its sixth straight match to improve to 7-2 at Moody Coliseum. It marked the Wildcats' 11th victory in their past 13 contests and their fourth consecutive win versus UT Arlington. ACU now hits the road for three matches in a row, beginning versus Tarleton State at 1 p.m. Saturday in Stephenville, Texas.
Aubrey Beaver delivered her second straight 20-plus-kill performance, tallying 21 kills at a .300 attack percentage alongside two blocks. It's tied for the most kills by a Wildcat this season. Hannah Gonzalez complemented her with 19 kills at a .424 clip with a service ace and two blocks. Â The Wildcats amassed 9.5 blocks.
Avery Thaler and Hadlee Welch combined for 11 kills with five and three blocks, respectively. Rachel Koss captained the offense with a season-high 58 assists, coming within two of her career best. She did match her career high with four blocks. ACU totaled 62 assists, tied for its third-most in a DI four-set match.
Brennan Ramirez patrolled the defense with 28 digs, one shy of her career best. She had no errors on 44 receptions and chipped in an ace. Abby Christian and Maddie Finnegan added 14 and 11 digs, respectively. The Wildcats' 79 digs are their most in four sets this season.
The opening frame set the tone for a match that was tied 23 times and featured eight lead changes. Both teams traded points before ACU built a cushion with a 15-12 lead at the media timeout. The Wildcats moved ahead by as much as five, but the Mavericks rallied to tie the score at 23. UT Arlington fended off ACU's set point three times before a pair of Gonzalez kills clinched a 28-26 victory for the Wildcats. The two teams were tied on 11 occasions.
Gonzalez and Beaver each had five kills and a block, with the former crafting an .833 attack percentage. Koss totaled 17 assists, and Ramirez had 12 digs.
The roller coaster continued with five ties and four lead changes in the second set. The Mavericks took the first three points and led 15-12 at the halfway point. Their lead swelled to as much as five at 19-14, but the Wildcats answered with a 7-0 run to move in front, 21-19. UT Arlington responded to take a 24-23 edge before ACU grabbed a 25-24 advantage of its own. The Mavericks scored the final three points on their way to a 27-25 win.
Beaver and Gonzalez combined for nine kills, while Thaler had a hand in three blocks. Koss dished out 13 assists.
UT Arlington engineered another hot start with a 5-1 lead before ACU evened the score at 9. The Mavericks retook a slim advantage through much of the set, including a 23-20 edge. They reached set point at 24-22, but the Wildcats were hard to kill, knotting the score again.
ACU fought off two more UT Arlington set points, ending the frame with three straight points for a 28-26 win. The Wildcats sealed it with two Gonzalez kills and one by Izabelle Larson, her seventh of the season. Gonzalez had six kills and an ace, while Koss collected 14 assists.
Beaver exploded for nine kills at .533 in the fourth set to help ACU clinch the match. Six straight points put the Wildcats in front, 9-5, and gave them a lead they wouldn't lose. UT Arlington battled to get within a point at 21-20, but ACU held strong en route to a 25-22 victory. Gonzalez turned in four kills and two blocks, while Koss aided her on both blocks alongside 14 assists.
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OH/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
L
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
RS
/ Women's VolleyballTeam Stats
UTA
ACU
Kills
58
64
Errors
27
31
Attempts
181
182
Hitting %
.171
.181
Points
68.0
76.5
Assists
57
62
Aces
1
3
Blocks
9
9.5
Game Leaders
Kills
21
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
19
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Monday, October 05
Sunday, October 04
Sunday, October 04
Tuesday, September 29
