Badger volleyball shows promise in preseason scrimmage

Despite not having an official result on the line entering Thursday's season-opening scrimmage, the Amarillo College volleyball team displayed an abundance of potential and resolve in a 4-0 victory (25-23, 25-22, 25-20, 29-27) against Seward County Community College.

The Badgers rallied from a 20-18 deficit in set one and a 12-6 deficit in set four to secure a sweep on their home floor at the FirstBank Southwest Center.

Unofficially, freshman right-side hitter Kre Hicks put forth one of the most efficient offensive performances in program history. The lefty from Stephenville recorded 16 kills via a .500 hitting percentage.

The efficiency would have been the second-highest mark in team history for players with at least 15 attack attempts.

Sophomore transfer Kaela Neie, a Bushland native, proved to be a lethal duo with Hicks at the net. The 6-foot outside hitter recorded 12 kills – the second-highest mark on the team via a .280 hitting percentage.

Freshman Genesis Mendez had seven kills and tied for a team-best three aces. Fellow first-year Badgers Jacey Loudder and Jaelynn Jackson recorded three blocks apiece.

The Badgers' pair of setters – Anau Tua'one and Madeline Lentz – split duties throughout the match and tallied 33 assists and 19 assists respectively.

Sophomore Ellie Okikawa was spotless in the passing department with 13 digs, eight serve receptions, and no errors in either stat column.