AC finishes Colorado road trip on 3-game win streak

Amarillo College's mental fortitude and endurance were put to the test over a three-day span in the Centennial State.

It's fair to say, the Badgers passed with flying colors.

The AC volleyball team made the trek to Trinidad State College on Aug. 27, less than three days after a four-game tourney in Roswell, New Mexico.

After falling in four sets to the Trojans on the evening of Aug. 27, AC claimed three consecutive victories to end its road trip north of the Texas border with a 3-1 record.

AC earned two wins in Lamar on Wednesday evening – defeating Pratt Community College in four sets and the host Lopes in five sets – and concluded action on Thursday by downing yet another opponent on its home floor.

The Badgers defeated Otero College in five sets in La Junta on Aug. 29, improving its overall record to 5-3 heading into the Weatherford tourney, Sept. 6-7.

Sophomore outside hitter Kaela Neie set a single game school record with 21 kills during the Badgers win over Lamar Community College.

Neie ended the trip in Colorado with 73 kills – the most in program history in a four-game stretch.

Freshman outside hitter Jayli Franklin, who was a 2023 all-state volleyball honoree at West Plains High School, tallied 31 kills and a team-best 49 digs over four games last week. The Amarillo native recorded a career-best 11 kills in each of AC's final two games in Colorado.

During the Badgers five-set win over Otero, Franklin recorded a .409 hitting percentage – marking the second time she has eclipsed a .400 kill rate with at least 10 attack attempts.

AC as team set another record as a unit a week ago, accumulating 18 aces at the service line during the Badgers five-set victory over the Lopes. Freshman setter Anau Tua'one dished out five aces – one shy of tying the school record – and fellow setter Madeline Lentz had a season-best four aces.

Amarillo natives Olivia Hurnes and Abigale Ramsey added three aces apiece.

The Badgers begin play in Weatherford on Friday, Sept. 6 at 3 p.m. against Dallas College Richland on the Weatherford College campus.

AC is set to play a pair of ranked opponents in No. 8 Trinity Valley Community College and No. 9 Weatherford College at the two-day event.