WKU Volleyball came out strong this weekend with a 2-1 record in the Kathy Deboer Invitational at Michigan State University.
The Hilltoppers won against Marist on Friday, Sep. 6, and Loyola Chicago on Sep. 7.
The lone loss of the weekend was to the Michigan State Spartans to a 3-1 advantage.
GAME ONE
In the first game of the weekend, WKU defeated the Marist Red Foxes in a sweep.
The Hilltoppers began the first set with two separate 6-0 runs, led by a kill from senior outside hitter Kaylee Cox, and a solo block from sophomore outside hitter Gabby Weihe. This led to a 25-8 domination.
The second set was the closest, with Marist keeping pace for a few points before freshman outside hitter Alivia Skidmore took over, posting six kills in the set. The Hilltoppers took the set 25-16.
Skidmore continued to dominate in the third, posting another six kills, and the Hilltoppers never let up, leading to a 25-12 win.
GAME TWO
The second game came against the Michigan State Spartans in a close match, with WKU ultimately falling in a fourth set 3-1.
Sophomore middle hitter Izzy van De Wiele came out strong with a .600 hitting percentage, but it wasn’t enough as the Hilltoppers fell 25-15 in the first set.
The second set was more of the same. Despite senior outside hitter Kaylee Cox surging with five total kills, WKU fell just short 25-17.
Momentum shifted towards the Hilltoppers in the third set, with senior right-side hitter Kenadee Coyle securing five kills. The game came down to the wire, with several lead changes in the final few points. Ultimately WKU stayed alive with a 25-23 victory.
WKU volleyball had a strong final set, with six different Hilltoppers recording at least one kill, led by Coyle with four. The set was close again, but the Hilltoppers came up short, falling 25-23.
GAME THREE
The Hilltoppers’ lone Saturday game was a win, taking it 3-1 against the Loyola Chicago Ramblers.
The Ramblers took a big lead early and never let it up. Skidmore added three kills, but it wasn’t enough as Loyola Chicago took the first set 25-15.
A strong second set changed WKU’s fortunes, dominating with 21 total kills. Cox led with six, and Skidmore added four of her own, ultimately leading to a 25-16 victory.
A back-and-forth third set went down to the wire, but the Hilltoppers pulled away, winning a close one 26-24. Van De Wiele led the way with five blocks, and Skidmore and Cox again dominated, accumulating seven kills.
The utter dominance of the final set can’t be understated. The Hilltoppers shut the door on the Ramblers, winning the set 25-9. The WKU defense allowed a -.129-team hitting percentage by Loyola Chicago, a dominant showing to finish off the weekend.
A 4-2 record and close games against No. 9 Kentucky and Michigan State led voters to place WKU into the “receiving votes” category of the Top 25. Another strong weekend could bring the Hilltoppers back into the rankings for the 13th time in the past 14 seasons.
WKU Volleyball will open their home slate against No. 17 Tennessee on Tuesday, Sep. 10.
Sports reporter Austin Rice can be reached at [email protected]
