Badgers sweep Vernon in home debut

Amarillo College's historic hot start to the season was put on full display during the team's home opener on Monday evening against Vernon College.

The Badgers utilized a perfect performance at the service line and an efficient offensive attack to sweep the Chapparals 25-21, 25-19, 25-8. AC finished the match with 11 aces compared to zero service errors and a season-best .397 hitting percentage.

Sophomore Jayli Franklin tallied a team-best four aces. Madeline Lentz and Tyler Pool added three aces apiece.

After a competitive first set where AC rallied from a 19-18 deficit to win the frame, the Badgers trailed only once during the final two games of Monday's match.

Freshman Delany Galligan – the team's kill leader – displayed her defensive skillset during the contest's most crucial stretch. The Argyle High School product recorded a pair of solo blocks as part of the first-set rally.

Galligan then put down a kill by way of a London Baker assist, giving AC a 24-21 first set lead. Jaelynn Jackson's solo block sealed the Badgers' set-one victory.

Galligan led AC in kills (10) and San Angelo native Sam Cardona added eight kills. Emery Bryan had her most efficient outing of her rookie campaign, adding six kills on nine swings with zero errors (.667 hitting percentage).

Baker dished out a team-high 27 assists while Lentz contributed 15 assists.

Amarillo College's 8-2 start to the season is the most wins by the program in its first 10 games since the reboot of athletics at AC in 2022.