ACU runs streak to six straight

Wildcats sweep past Wayland Baptist, SW Baptist

ABILENE -- The No. 19 ACU Wildcats ran into little resistance on Saturday at Moody Coliseum as they ran their winning streak to six straight matches with a pair of 3-0 wins over Wayland Baptist and  Southwest Baptist.

The Wildcats beat Wayland Baptist, 30-20, 30-11, 30-27, and then came back to beat Southwest Baptist, 30-23, 30-23, 30-17.  ACU is now 6-3 on the season after starting the year 0-3.  The Wildcats will take on St. Edward's at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Moody Coliseum before hosting the Lone Star Conference Crossover Tournament on Friday and Saturday at Moody.

ACU started the day with an easy win over Wayland Baptist with senior outside hitter Michelle Bernhardt leading the way.  Bernhardt had 13 kills and no errors on 26 total attacks for a .500 hitting percentage.  Senior middle blocker Amanda Slate had 11 kills, while senior rightside hitter Ashlee Motola and sophomore outside hitter Abbie Lowry each had nine.

In the second match on Saturday, ACU swept its way past Southwest Baptist, which is coached by former ACU assistant coach Leslie Howe.  But her Bearcats were no match for her former team as ACU rolled to the win.

Bernhardt -- who finished the weekend with a .426 hitting percentage on 54 total attacks -- had 13 more attacks in the win over SBU.  Senior setter Lindsey Martin finished the weekend with 89 assists, including 44 in the win over Southwest Baptist.

The Wildcats have now won 20 straight matches at Moody Coliseum and haven't lost in their home arena since a 3-1 loss to West Texs A&M on Oct. 11, 2003.  ACU won its last five straight at home in 2003 before going 15-0 there in 2004.

ACU seventh-year head coach Brek Horn is 63-11 at Moody Coliseum in seven-plus years with the Wildcats, while this year's group of seniors is 36-4 in home matches.