Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
ACU
Red Raiders down ACU in exhibition
August 14, 2026 | Women's Volleyball
Texas Tech took the exhibition 3-1 in Abilene
ABILENE, Texas – Texas Tech volleyball unofficially started its season with an exhibition against ACU in Abilene, a match the Red Raiders won 3-1 on Friday afternoon. The teams both agreed to play a fifth set but that is not factored into the stats.
The Red Raiders are 8-2 in their last 10 matchups against the Wildcats with the last match coming in 2023. Although they haven't played an official contest since then, Tech has scrimmaged or played an exhibition against ACU during the last two spring seasons so there is some familiarity between the programs.
The Wildcats came out strong on their home court taking the first set 25-21 before the Red Raiders shook off the rust and retaliated with a 25-17 win in set two and then took the lead after a 25-19 set three win before finishing off the match with a 25-23 win.
Newcomers Sara Bowcutt and Gretchen Sigman were strong through the first three sets, combining for 15 kills while both hitting over .300 as they had just one attack error between them. Taylor Bahnub was strong as well, going for seven kills while hitting over .275.
Freshman Elia Dinsmore saw a lot of action early, leading the team with 36 attacks while also recording 10 digs which was good for second-most on the team. Katelyn Cochran and Taylor Cook split the setting duties, combining for 42 assists as they each recorded nine digs. Emily Contreras manned the libero jersey and led the team with 24 digs while adding seven assists.
Sigman and Bowcutt each recorded 10 kills through four sets as Sigman finished the match with a strong .409 hitting percentage. Shelby Ignash and Dinsmore recorded six kills, Kayla Robertson added four kills in the fourth set, Reagan Engler had three kills and Faith Jordan and Tatum Johnson each had two kills.
UP NEXT: The Red Raiders will return home for its annual Red & Black Scrimmage on August 21 followed by another exhibition on August 22, both matches will be in the practice gym of the United Supermarkets Arena.
