The Abilene Christian volleyball team bookended an exhibition match by winning the first and fifth sets over Texas Tech on Friday afternoon at Moody Coliseum.
Officially, the Red Raiders defeated ACU 3-1. With the result decided the teams agreed to play a fifth set, which the Wildcats won 25-22.
ACU began the match with a 25-21 victory in a back-and-forth first set led by sophomore Hadlee Welch’s seven kills on eight attacks. Welch, who’s mother (Misti – volleyball) and father (Duane – baseball) were both ACU student-athletes, posted a game-high 17 kills in the first four sets.
The first set featured 13 ties and five lead changes.
Hannah Gonzalez and Aubrey Beaver each had 10 kills for ACU while Alyssa Todd added nine. Setter Rachel Koss led all players with 37 assists. Pierson Smith had 18. Brennan Ramirez, entering her second season as a Wildcat, recorded 27 digs.
Texas Tech claimed the second and third sets — 25-17 and 25-19, respectively. The Wildcats tied the score four different times in the fourth set, but could not push ahead as the Red Raiders won 25-23.
ACU has one more tuneup before the regular season. The Cats travel to Angelo State’s Junell Center to face the Rambelles in another exhibition on Friday, Aug. 21 at 3 p.m.
The ACU Invitational kicks off the season Aug. 28-29 with matches against Lamar, Cal State Bakersfield and North Texas. The Wildcats host a second home tournament – the Wildcat Classic – Sept. 17-19 by hosting Louisiana Tech, Prairie View A&M and Stephen F. Austin before playing their first-ever UAC match at North Alabama.