Amarillo College volleyball sees ups and downs over weekend

The second reverse sweep defeat of the season was three points away from going on the books for the Badger volleyball team on Saturday in a rematch against Tyler Junior College.

AC’s steadfastness had another outcome in mind.

Facing a 12-9 deficit in set five, the Badgers scored six consecutive points to secure their second victory (25-19, 25-20, 15-25, 21-25, 15-12) of the season over the Apaches. Lubbock natives Jorja Wilson and Jacey Loudder ignited the late rally.
Wilson tallied a pair of kills, Loudder recorded a solo block, and freshman Jayli Franklin ended the match with a kill slicing through the Apaches double block on the left side of the net.

Franklin concluded the match with a season-best 13 kills via a .308 hitting percentage.

Freshman setter and Caprock High School product Lilliana Rangel, who made her season debut at the two-day event in Weatherford, was credited with a trio of assists for the final three kills of the fifth frame.

Another Panhandle native – freshman Allee Purcella – had her best showing of the season during the Badgers victory Saturday morning. The Hereford High School alum recorded seven kills on 21 attack attempts.

AC finished the Weatherford Tournament with a 1-3 record, moving their overall season mark to 6-6.

On Friday, the Badgers suffered a four-set loss (25-21, 25-21, 24-26, 25-20) to Dallas College Richland and were swept by No. 9 Weatherford College (26-24, 25-17, 25-23).

Eighth-ranked Trinity Valley Community College swept AC (25-16, 25-18, 25-18) in the Badgers tourney finale on Saturday.

Up next for the Badgers is their home opener on Friday at the Amarillo College Tournament. AC is scheduled to play Independence Community College at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, followed by a 7 p.m. rematch against Trinidad State College.

On Saturday, Sept. 14, AC will play No. 13 Blinn College at 9 a.m. and fellow Western Junior College Athletic Conference foe Frank Phillips College at 2 p.m.