ACU to Take Part in Competition, Cultural Immersion in European Service Trip
5/14/2026 4:09:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
ABILENE - Abilene Christian volleyball will enjoy the experience of a lifetime this summer when it embarks on a global service trip to Europe from June 4-14. The Wildcats will visit Sweden, Denmark and Germany, immersing themselves in local cultures while competing against overseas programs and taking part in volunteer work.
ACU will partner with Bring It Promotions to coordinate the logistics of the trip. Fans can support the program's international experience here.
"Since coming back to Abilene as the head volleyball coach, I've been excited to be able to plan an international trip for the program," head coach Ijeoma Moronu Alstrup. "Behind the scenes, we've been talking, planning, praying and fundraising for this trip since 2023, so we are just so excited that the time has finally come. Our hope for the trip is that the girls have a lifetime of memories together, we get to serve a community that is primarily a non-believing one and the girls are exposed to international volleyball and the opportunities that are available to play post-college."
After training from May 29 to June 3, the team will depart from Abilene on June 4 before arriving in Sweden. The Wildcats will visit Lund and Malmo from June 5-6, where they will enjoy sightseeing and other team bonding opportunities, including the Men's European Volleyball Championship between Sweden and Greece.
The team will then head to Copenhagen, Denmark, the homeland of assistant coach Chris Alstrup, through June 10. ACU will compete against Holte, one of the top programs in Denmark, and the Danish National Team. The Wildcats will also partner with local churches to offer volleyball clinics while volunteering with Hillsong Church.
Moronu Alstrup previously played and coached professional volleyball in Denmark.
ACU's global service trip will conclude in Germany from June 11-14. The Wildcats will travel to Schwerin and Hamburg to play the U17 German Regional National Team. Afterwards, the team will explore local history and heritage, including a tour of a concentration camp.
"We chose to plan the trip in the summer of 2026 because it would be our first full recruiting class and a great opportunity for us to spend time on and off the court to ensure success for the fall of 2026," Moronu Alstrup said. "I want to say thank you to every single person that has donated towards this trip. It has meant the world to myself, and your donations will truly be a part of something transformational for the lives of our athletes."
International trips are permitted once every four years by the NCAA, offering the opportunity to participate in additional practices and exhibition matches. ACU's global service trip allows for on-court development, team bonding and expansion of student-athletes' cultural horizons entering the 2026 campaign.
The Wildcats return 12 student-athletes from a historic 2025 season that featured their most wins since 2018 and first conference tournament victory since 2017.
ACU will partner with Bring It Promotions to coordinate the logistics of the trip. Fans can support the program's international experience here.
"Since coming back to Abilene as the head volleyball coach, I've been excited to be able to plan an international trip for the program," head coach Ijeoma Moronu Alstrup. "Behind the scenes, we've been talking, planning, praying and fundraising for this trip since 2023, so we are just so excited that the time has finally come. Our hope for the trip is that the girls have a lifetime of memories together, we get to serve a community that is primarily a non-believing one and the girls are exposed to international volleyball and the opportunities that are available to play post-college."
After training from May 29 to June 3, the team will depart from Abilene on June 4 before arriving in Sweden. The Wildcats will visit Lund and Malmo from June 5-6, where they will enjoy sightseeing and other team bonding opportunities, including the Men's European Volleyball Championship between Sweden and Greece.
The team will then head to Copenhagen, Denmark, the homeland of assistant coach Chris Alstrup, through June 10. ACU will compete against Holte, one of the top programs in Denmark, and the Danish National Team. The Wildcats will also partner with local churches to offer volleyball clinics while volunteering with Hillsong Church.
Moronu Alstrup previously played and coached professional volleyball in Denmark.
ACU's global service trip will conclude in Germany from June 11-14. The Wildcats will travel to Schwerin and Hamburg to play the U17 German Regional National Team. Afterwards, the team will explore local history and heritage, including a tour of a concentration camp.
"We chose to plan the trip in the summer of 2026 because it would be our first full recruiting class and a great opportunity for us to spend time on and off the court to ensure success for the fall of 2026," Moronu Alstrup said. "I want to say thank you to every single person that has donated towards this trip. It has meant the world to myself, and your donations will truly be a part of something transformational for the lives of our athletes."
International trips are permitted once every four years by the NCAA, offering the opportunity to participate in additional practices and exhibition matches. ACU's global service trip allows for on-court development, team bonding and expansion of student-athletes' cultural horizons entering the 2026 campaign.
The Wildcats return 12 student-athletes from a historic 2025 season that featured their most wins since 2018 and first conference tournament victory since 2017.
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