Wildcats Journey to Oklahoma to Meet Golden Eagles, Sooners

TULSA, Okla. — Abilene Christian volleyball makes its first of eight out-of-state journeys because it heads to Oklahoma for a trio of matches this weekend. The Wildcats meet Oral Roberts in Tulsa at 7 p.m. Friday and a pair of p.m. Saturday earlier than battling the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Each of the Wildcats’ matches versus the Golden Eagles will likely be streamed on the Summit League Network with Connor Clark calling the motion from the Mabee Center. ACU’s match at Oklahoma could be streamed on SEC Network+ with Chad McKee (play-by-play) and Kelly Files (analyst) on the decision at McCasland Field House.

ACU has gained its final three matches versus Oral Roberts and three of its previous 5 highway contests, together with its newest victory at Texas Southern. A sweep of the Golden Eagles would enhance the Wildcats to 5-3, tying their greatest eight-game begin within the Division I period. It would mark a four-game successful streak for ACU, its longest since 2023.

The Wildcats match up with the Sooners for the second season in a row after assembly at Moody Coliseum final August. ACU is chasing its third victory over an influence convention program and its first since beating Texas Tech in 2023. A five-match successful streak could be the Wildcats’ longest since 2018.

After incomes Second Team All-WAC honors a 12 months in the past, Rachel Koss picked up the place she left off, rating second within the UAC in whole assists (227) and assists per set (9.08). Brennan Ramirez can also be second within the convention in digs (124) and digs per set (4.96).

ACU returns to Abilene for the Wildcat Classic and Alumni Weekend on Sept. 17-19. The Wildcats host Louisiana Tech, Prairie View A&M and Stephen F. Austin at Moody Coliseum, with the crew’s First Serve Dinner set for Sept. 19 at 5 p.m.

LOOK BACK ON LAST WEEK – ACU delivered a trio of sturdy performances in a 2-1 displaying on the Houston Invitational. The Wildcats took the Houston Cougars to 5 units in ACU’s solely lack of the weekend, practically pulling off the reverse sweep. The Wildcats adopted with wins over Houston Christian and Texas Southern the following day.

Alyssa Todd was named the UAC Freshman of the Week with 46 kills at a .313 clip. She tied the ACU DI freshman report with 17 kills at Texas Southern. Rachel Koss totaled 128 assists, whereas Brennan Ramirez had 68 digs.

ON THE HEELS OF HISTORY – The Wildcats look to construct a historic 2025 marketing campaign as they collected 13 victories, their most since 2018. ACU hosted the Western Athletic Conference Tournament at Moody Coliseum, the place it secured the fourth seed to match its highest convention match seeding within the Division I period. With a five-set win over reigning WAC champion UT Arlington, the Wildcats captured their first WAC Tournament victory and first win in a convention match since 2017. ACU returns 84.9% of its level manufacturing from 2025. Four Wildcats garnered All-Conference honors, essentially the most in this system’s DI historical past.

NEW CONFERENCE ON THE BLOCK – ACU makes its debut within the United Athletic Conference in 2026, welcoming six new convention opponents together with Tarleton State and UT Arlington within the rebranding of the WAC. Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, North Alabama and West Georgia be part of from the Atlantic Sun, whereas Little Rock makes the transfer from the Ohio Valley. This season’s UAC Tournament is ready for the Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock, Ark. on Nov. 19-21.

PRESEASON RECOGNITION – Gonzalez was named to the Preseason All-United Athletic Conference Team because the Wildcats’ first preseason all-conference choice since 2019. ACU landed in fifth within the UAC’s Preseason Coaches Poll. The Wildcats obtained 52 votes from the convention’s head coaches, with Eastern Kentucky topping the ballot with seven of eight first place votes.

STAYING THE COURSE – A rarity in at present’s world of school athletics, ACU’s roster touts seven seniors, together with 5 which have spent their complete four-year careers in Abilene. Gonzalez, Koss, Abby Christian, Izabelle Larson and Alexis Strong every arrived at ACU in 2023 alongside head coach Ijeoma Moronu Alstrup. The group of 5 has mixed to play in 386 matches and 1,246 units coming into the 2026 marketing campaign. Also starting her fourth season as head coach of the Wildcats, Moronu Alstrup described this 12 months as a “senior season” of her personal.  Additionally, Avery Thaler, Annaleise Sevier and Courtney Church are every of their third seasons at ACU.

FAMILY AFFAIR – Head coach Ijeoma Moronu Alstrup and assistant coach Chris Alstrup are one among six identified Division I teaching duos which can be married. The two met whereas Moronu Alstrup was taking part in skilled volleyball in Alstrup’s house nation of Denmark. They have a daughter, Charlie, and a son, Jude. Other married teaching duos embrace UAC foe Little Rock, Eastern Michigan, Montana State, Southern Utah and West Virginia. Other household ties on the Wildcats’ roster embrace freshman OH/RS Garrah Prox and her sister, pupil supervisor Zoey Prox.

WILDCATS AROUND THE GLOBE – Much of ACU’s crew chemistry and camaraderie was constructed this summer time on this system’s worldwide tour to Europe. From June 4-14, the Wildcats globetrotted throughout Sweden, Denmark and Germany, immersing themselves in native cultures whereas competing towards abroad packages and collaborating in volunteer work. ACU competed towards Holte, one of many high packages in Denmark, the Danish National Team and the U17 German Regional National Team. The Wildcats additionally partnered with native church buildings to supply volleyball clinics whereas volunteering with Hillsong Church.

NATIONWIDE WILDCATS – Eight states are represented on ACU’s 18-person roster (Texas, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, California, Missouri, Louisiana, Washington and Kentucky). Ten Wildcats hail from the Lone Star State. Beyond the United States, assistant coach Chris Alstrup is Danish.