ACU Mounts Comeback, Pushes Houston to Edge in Five Sets

Thursday, September 3

Houston, Texas

6:30 p.m.

Abilene Christian

1-3,0-0UAC

Houston

3-1,0-0Big 12

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
Abilene Christian	13	18	25	28	12	2
Houston	25	25	23	26	15	3

Aubrey Beaver makes an attack in ACU's 3-1 win over Lamar at Moody Coliseum on Aug. 28, 2026.

Photo by: Nataly Zuniga

ACU Mounts Comeback, Pushes Houston to Edge in Five Sets

9/3/2026 11:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Luke White

HOUSTON — Abilene Christian volleyball gave Houston all it could handle as its comeback attempt came up just short in a 3-2 loss at the Fertitta Center on Thursday night. The Wildcats battled back from a two-set deficit and pushed the Cougars to the brink behind Alyssa Todd's 15 kills and Hadlee Welch's career-high nine blocks.

After dropping the match's first two sets, ACU fought back to pull out wins in the third and fourth frames. The Wildcats and Cougars battled to a decisive fifth set before Houston came away with the victory on its home floor.

ACU looks to rebound with a pair of matches Friday to wrap up the Houston Invitational. The Wildcats meet Houston Christian at 12 p.m. before taking on Texas Southern at 5:30 p.m. Both matches will be hosted at the Tigers' H&PE Arena.

Todd and Welch formed a formidable underclassmen pair to combine for 29 kills. The freshman Todd swung at a .400 clip, while Welch, a sophomore, touted a .313 attack percentage with 14 kills. Welch was a force at the net with a hand in nine blocks, joined by Avery Thaler with eight blocks and six kills. Todd added ACU's lone service ace.

Maddie Finnegan followed with nine kills with Hannah Gonzalez adding six kills and five blocks. Rachel Koss shined with a 45-assist performance, her most since last September, and tied her career best with three blocks.

With three kills, Aubrey Beaver eclipsed 600 career kills, while Abby Christian's four digs gave her over 700 for her career. Gonzalez surpassed 600 kills and 200 blocks in the season-opening ACU Invitational.

Houston controlled the tempo early on with a 25-13 victory in the opening set. Todd got off to a hot start with three kills, while Welch got a piece of each of the Wildcats' three blocks. A 3-0 rally got ACU within three points of Houston in the following frame, but the Cougars pulled away for a 25-18 victory and a 2-0 match lead. Welch collected both of the Wildcats' blocks with a couple of kills. Todd had two kills and an ace.

ACU found its footing in the third set, staving off a sweep with a 25-23 win. Both teams traded points before the Wildcats mounted a 3-0 run to grab a 22-18 advantage. They fended off the Cougars the rest of the way, with Welch's fifth kill of the set sealing the victory. Todd added four kills of her own with Koss assisting on 15 of the team's 16 kills. ACU was highly efficient in building a .483 attack percentage.

The Wildcats carried their momentum into a fourth set that featured 20 ties and six lead changes. Neither team could build a cushion beyond two points before ACU grabbed a 24-21 edge following three straight points. Houston fought off set point three times to tie at 24, then reached match point with a 5-1 run making it 26-25, Cougars. The Wildcats stayed composed, rattling off three points in a row, including two from Finnegan kills, for a roller coaster 28-26 win.

Finnegan rose to the occasion with six kills and three digs, while Welch stayed hot with five kills at a .444 clip. Thaler provided four kills and two blocks, and Koss set her attackers up with 18 assists.

ACU continued to battle in the fifth and final set. Despite falling behind 11-6, the Wildcats built a 6-2 streak to get within a point of the Cougars at 13-12. Houston picked up the final two points for a 15-12 triumph. Todd fueled ACU with three kills and a solo block, one of five kills in the set for the visitors.