ABILENE, Texas | The Alabama A&M University volleyball team (2-8) completed the Wildcat Classic Invitational, falling 3-1 to Oral Roberts University (2-9) and 3-0 to hosts Abilene Christian University (4-6) on Thursday. 
 

Both matches were paced by senior Saldy Amparo-Smith, who tallied 35 kills on the day. She dug 17 balls and notched 2 service aces. Freshman Nisaan Martinez found herself as a key player of the first match as the team's second highest scorer with 12 kills and only four errors. Junior Grace Tapscott totaled 35 assists and 11 digs on Thursday, and three service aces, the team high through both matches.  Junior Laela Price notched 18 assists and 8 digs for the Bulldogs.  
 

Oral Roberts would see a balanced team on Thursday afternoon, with Trinity Freeman pacing the offense with 20 kills and 3 service aces. Defensively, Thaynara Jesus led the Golden Eagles with 20 digs. Freshman Rachel Resta notched 39 assists in the matinee match. ORU now leads the Bulldogs in all-time matchups, 2-1. 

In the second match of the day, Bryley Steinhilber and Hannah Gonzalez of the host team were the key players, leading the Wildcats with 12.5 points apiece. Steinhilber totaled 10 kills, 10 digs and 2 service aces, while Gonzalez also terminated 10 balls, and led the team in hitting, at a .444 percentage. Madeline Guffy totaled 30 assists in the final match of the day. With Thursday night's match being the first time ACU and AAMU faced each other, the Wildcats now lead the all-time match ups.  
 

The Bulldogs look forward to one more non-conference match before SWAC play begins, when they play Middle Tennessee State University on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.  
 

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