Wildcats Mark Best Start of Division I Era With Sweep of Louisiana Tech

Thursday, September 17

Abilene, Texas

6 p.m.

Abilene Christian

6-4,0-0UAC

Louisiana Tech

6-6,0-0Sun Belt

Team	1	2	3	Final F
Louisiana Tech	13	21	15	0
Abilene Christian	25	25	25	3

Box Score (PDF)ACU Match Notes

Maddie Finnegan and Avery Thaler attempt to block an attack in ACU's 3-0 win over Louisiana Tech at Moody Coliseum on Sept. 17, 2026.

Wildcats Mark Best Start of Division I Era With Sweep of Louisiana Tech

9/17/2026 9:41:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Luke White

ABILENE — Abilene Christian volleyball cruised to a 3-0 sweep of Louisiana Tech to open the Wildcat Classic at Moody Coliseum on Thursday night. The Wildcats picked up their fifth victory in their last six matches while improving to 6-4, their best 10-match start in the Division I era.

ACU continues the Wildcat Classic versus Prairie View A&M at 7:30 p.m. Friday for the program's Alumni Night. The weekend wraps up against Stephen F. Austin at 1 p.m. Saturday as the team hosts PJs and Pancakes at Moody Coliseum. Free pancakes will be served, and there will be an ACU pillowcase giveaway for the first 100 fans.

In a match lasting less than 90 minutes, the Wildcats registered their highest attack percentage of the season at .341 with 39 kills. Alyssa Todd made history with nine kills at .333, giving her 101 kills through 10 matches. She became the fastest freshman in the Division I era to reach 100 career kills. Todd also had a block.

Maddie Finnegan fueled the offense with 11 kills at a .360 clip with a service ace, a block and six digs. Reigning UAC Player of the Week Hannah Gonzalez continued the efficient effort with eight kills at .357 with two aces and four blocks. Hadlee Welch had five kills at a .625 percentage. Rachel Koss set them up for success with 28 assists and two blocks.

ACU established itself early on in the opening frame, using a five-point streak to grab a 9-4 edge and a lead it wouldn't lose for the rest of the set. A 4-0 run stretched the advantage to 19-12, and, after a Bulldog point, the Wildcats finished it off with six points in a row. Finnegan had three kills in the 25-13 victory.

Both teams battled to reach a 15-15 tie midway through the second set, but a 3-0 rally pushed ACU ahead, 17-15. The Wildcats didn't trail for the remainder of the frame. After Louisiana Tech got within 20-19, ACU closed on a 5-2 run for a 25-21 win. The Wildcats swung at a .394 mark as Finnegan and Hadlee Welch each collected five kills at .714. Koss dished out 14 assists.

ACU sealed the sweep with a 25-15 effort in the third set. After another tight opening, the Wildcats stormed to a 22-10 lead with a 13-1 streak that included eight consecutive points. Todd led the way with five kills, while Finnegan and Gonzalez had three apiece. Gonzalez had a hand in each of the ACU's three blocks.