WKU Volleyball head coach Travis Hudson addressed the media about another week full of conference play on Monday morning.

WKU traveled to Texas last week to take on North Texas and UTEP, beating both teams 3-1. Hudson is thrilled to see his players continuing to battle in the face of adversity. 

“To drop a set where we could have very easily lost both matches, those are two really good teams […] so we knew what we were up against,” Hudson said. “To lose a set when we haven’t lost one in conference play and watch our team rebound on the road was something that is good. It’s confirming going forward getting closer to conference tournament time.” 

WKU continues to play to its strengths this season and on top of that list is serving. The team recorded 17 aces in its matchup with UTEP, led by an astounding 7 aces from Katie Howard. Hudson noted that this level of play from the service line will only be turned into success. 

“It was a great day for them from the service line and certainly was a difference maker in that match, and something that if we do well moving forward is going to lead to a lot of success on our side,” Hudson said.

The Hilltoppers face a split weekend this week. WKU travels  to Charlotte on Friday and then heads back home to host Middle Tennessee on Sunday. Hudson said the travel can take a toll on a team.

“These split weekends are not something anyone feels really good about. It’s brutal. It makes a home game feel like a road game,” Hudson said. “We come home on Sunday to play a home game after being on the road all weekend […] It makes the game feel like another road game, which is a real challenge.” 

Lauren Matthews continues to be the focal point for the WKU offense, recording 15 kills against UTEP on Sunday. Hudson emphasized the impact that Matthews has for this offense, even when she isn’t rallying points. 

“Lauren [Matthews] and everybody would tell you how much she struggled in that match, she had a .333 kill rate with 15 kills, but they were literally triple blocking her. Kills were harder for her to come by but she just continues to produce. She makes life so much easier on everybody around her […] she impacts winning in a lot of ways.”

A highly anticipated matchup on Sunday against “100 Miles of Hate” rival Middle Tennessee has WKU fans excited and riled up, something Hudson says adds a little extra to this match. 

“You coach here, you understand, you talk to the fans, you understand how much those matchups mean to our fan base and so it adds a little extra to it, in terms of the way they run their volleyball program […] but we understand in the world of fandom, that this is a big one everytime it comes up on the schedule.”

The Hilltoppers travel to North Carolina to take on Charlotte Friday before returning home to host the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Sunday.

Sports reporter Mason Fletcher can be reached at [email protected].