WKU volleyball won one of three games at the Penn State Invitational in University Park, Pennsylvania, Sep. 1-2. The Hilltoppers went up against Colgate University, No. 14 Penn State University, and James Madison University.
Western Kentucky University now holds a 4-3 regular season record.
Game 1
Western Kentucky claimed their first win of the tournament against Colgate University, 3-1 on Friday. With the score close in each set, the Hilltoppers one loss was in the third set.
WKU ended the match with a .242 hitting percentage, gaining the extra edge over the Raiders .207% hitting percentage. The team, however, racked up 18 errors, proving much higher than the 7 errors allowed on Wednesday as the Hilltoppers swept Belmont University. WKU concluded the match with 56 total kills out of the 71 points scored.
Junior right side hitter Kenadee Coyle led the team in kills, totaling 14. Fifth year outside hitter Paige Briggs and redshirt sophomore setter Callie Bauer also contributed to the win.
Game 2
Going into the second game of the Penn State Invitational, the team played without team leader, Paige Briggs. While WKU held strong each match, they lost the match 1-3, winning in only the first set.
Western Kentucky finished the match with a .219 hitting percentage, compared to Penn State’s hitting percentage of .266%.
The Hilltoppers put together 48 total kills in the match, junior Kaylee Cox led the team with 13 kills. Trailing right behind, Coyle stole 10 kills and freshman middle hitter Gabby Weihe got 9. Callie Bauer picked up 38 assists with 9 attacks, 4 of which were kills.
Game 3
WKU played a tight game against James Madison University with Paige Briggs back in the final match of the weekend. After keeping it close all three sets, they were ultimately swept by the JMU Dukes.
The Hilltoppers closed out the match with a .360% hitting percentage, compared to JMU’s .381% hitting percentage. Coyle led with 13 kills.
The WKU volleyball team will return to Diddle Arena for a home game against Troy University on Friday, Sep. 8 at 11 a.m. CST, kicking off the Holiday Inn University Plaza Invitational.
Sports reporter Shelby Huelsman can be reached at [email protected].
