Wildcats set to open home season

ACU will host Wayland Baptist in home-opener

ABILENE -- The ACU volleyball team will begin its 2004 home season Tuesday when it hosts Wayland Baptist University in a non-conference match at 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum.

The Wildcats are 2-2 on the season after splitting four matches last weekend at the First General Services West Texas A&M Lady Buff Classic.  ACU lost to Western New Mexico and Adams State (Colo.), but beat New Mexico Highlands and No. 15 Metropolitan State (Colo.).

Wayland Baptist (0-0) is coming off its first appearance in the NAIA region playoffs since 1998, but lost several players off that 2003 team that finished 17-19.

ACU junior outside hitter Michelle Bernhardt leads the Wildcats with 67 kills (4.79 kills per game) to go along with 45 digs.  Junior middle blocker and freshman outside hitter Abbie Lowry each have 35 kills, while junior outside hitter Ashlee Motola has 31 kills.  Junior setter Lindsey Martin has 173 assists (12.36 assists per game), while senior libero Kellen Morrow has 50 digs.

After hosting Wayland Baptist, ACU will return to action this weekend at the State Farm Insurance Cal State-San Bernadino Coyote Classic.  ACU will play three top-25 teams in the classic, beginning with a Friday match against No. 7 Cal State-San Bernadino.  ACU will also play No. 25 Fort Hays State and No. 19 Minnesota State-Mankato.