ABILENE, Texas – The Northwestern State Demons volleyball team was defeated by the Abilene Christian Wildcats in three sets 3-0 (25-9, 25-20, 25-15) Wednesday night at Moody Coliseum in non-conference action.
The Demons (1-3) dropped the first set as Abilene Christian (2-2) went on a 9-1 run after NSU scored the game’s opening point. The Wildcats took the first set behind 11 kills.
In the second set, the Demons competed well and led 6-2 early. After the Wildcats went on a 13-2 run to take a 15-8 advantage, Northwestern rallied to cut the deficit to 16-14. However, the Wildcats went on to take the set as they had 21 kills and no attack errors through the first two sets.
“We are learning and fighting every day,” said first-year Demon volleyball coach Ben Kaszeta. “Today, we felt like a young team struggling to find our identity. The second set showed us what we are capable of being. Things are slowly getting better.”
NSU was led by freshman Elsie Sanchez Oliver with eight kills while senior Deja Benjamin had six. Redshirt freshman Reagan Hamm had nine assists and four digs while Makenna Tyron finished with six digs.
Northwestern will play in the Tarleton State Invitational Friday and Saturday in Stephenville, Texas. NSU takes on New Mexico Friday at 1 o’clock before a matchup with Prairie View A&M at 4. The Demons will wrap up the road trip Saturday at 7 p.m. against Tarleton State.
They are home for the first time next Tuesday, hosting ULM at 6:30 in Prather Coliseum.
