The WKU volleyball team took a step back on Friday in its loss to Marshall in the Billiken Invitational.

Earlier this week, WKU (8-4) was ranked No. 23 by richkern.com RKPI, a well-respected volleyball ranking website.

WKU fell in a five set battle 3-2 (15-25, 21-25, 25-16, 25-23, 15-9) to 80th-ranked Marshall, according to the RPI, in its first match of tournament play in St. Louis.

Marshall (5-5) defended off the Lady Toppers’ late rally by holding WKU to a .195 hitting percentage.

Junior Tiffany Elmore led the way with 16 kills and a .375 hitting percentage, while classmate Lindsay Williams followed with seven kills and a .273 hitting percentage.

The Lady Toppers will face a harder test tomorrow in their final down of the Billiken Invitational. They face No. 36 Lipscomb at noon and finish against No. 27 St. Louis.

WKU has a combined all-time record of 8-5 against the three teams, with wins against Marshall and St. Louis in their last meetings.