ABILENE, Tex. – The Golden Eagles concluded the Wildcat Classic losing against the Abilene Christian Wildcats, 2-3 (22-25, 25-23, 25-15, 13-25, 14-16). ORU shifts their focus to Summit League play, starting Thursday, September 26th at the Mabee Center against South Dakota State.
 
ORU opened the first set in a back-and-forth battle with the Wildcats, alternating countless points until the score was 16-all. Abilene Christian ended the set on a 6-3 run, pulling away from the Golden Eagles and securing the first set.
 
The Golden Eagles found their groove in the second set and with Hope Hickman at the helm of the offense for most of the match, ORU couldn't miss. A 4-0 run to open the set with help from Trinity Freeman and Hope Hickman set the tone for set two. The Golden Eagles scored six of the last seven points in the set with help from four attack errors by the Wildcats.
 
Set three was all ORU winning 25-15. Trinity Freeman gained momentum in set three racking up two kills in the set along with Hope Hickman. Freeman recorded the set-sealing kill, giving ORU a 2-1 lead heading into set four.
 
The Wildcats came out victorious in sets four and five going on long, dominant scoring runs. The Golden Eagles tried to fight back and the match was wire-to-wire at the end of set five, but they couldn't come out on top.
 
Match Notes

• Trinity Freeman and Hope Hickman were named to the Wildcat Classic All-Tournament Team after their impressive performances this weekend. Freeman logged 35 kills, a .318 hit pct and 15 digs thru two matches. Hickman made a statement as well, racking up 10 kills, five block assists and a .269 hit pct against ACU.
• Maite Solabarrieta logged a double-double in the Golden Eagles' match against ACU, recording 24 assists and 10 digs.
• Thaynara de Jesus led the team in digs throughout the Wildcat Classic, racking up 24 thru two matches.
• At the net, Natassia Baptiste led ORU with three solo blocks and four block assists in two matches.
• Rachel Resta logged an ORU and personal season-high of 39 digs against Alabama A&M.
• After the Wildcat Classic, ORU is now five wins away from 1,000 wins as a program.

 
Up Next
ORU heads into Summit League play next week, facing off against South Dakota State on Thursday, September 26th at the Mabee Center.
 
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