Jacob Sebastian

Outside hitter Faith Young (22) spikes the ball past the Eastern Illinois defense in Diddle Arena on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.

WKU volleyball opened up conference play this weekend in a two game series against the 7-6 Jacksonville State Gamecocks where the Hilltoppers took both games.

The Hilltoppers have been at the top of Conference USA since joining the conference in 2014. WKU has not lost a regular season game in conference play since 2018.

GAME ONE

In the first set it was all WKU. The Hilltoppers came out firing, riding the wave from their undefeated Alyssa Cavanaugh Classic showing last weekend. Back and forth these two teams went until the Hilltoppers found themselves up 11-9 and never looked back. Lead by sophomore Middle Hitter Izzy Van De Wiele who had eight kills, WKU closed the set on a 14-point run to take set one 25-9

To begin the second set, the Gamecocks made adjustments where needed and contained WKU early on. Both teams traded points and kept it close until the Hilltoppers took a slight lead 21-19 and closed out the set due to the serving of senior outside hitter Kaylee Cox where the Tops won set two 25-19.

The Hilltoppers continued to apply the pressure on Jacksonville State and closed out the set and match in three sets. The Hilltoppers went on multiple runs in the third set, first making it 17-11 late and then 22-12 being led by serving from senior outside hitter Katie Howard. WKU continued their reign on top of C-USA winning the set 25-15 after a kill from Cox.

GAME TWO

The Hilltoppers led early and kept the momentum going, taking the set 25-20. Senior right side hitter Kenadee Coyle led the way with four kills and two blocks, and Van De Wiele added two blocks of her own. The WKU defense stepped up, holding the Gamecocks to a .216 hitting percentage. 

The second set was similar to the first, with the Hilltoppers taking the lead and never looking back. The Gamecocks made it tough with a few runs, but WKU held tough and took the set 25-19. Cox and freshman outside hitter Alivia Skidmore had four kills a piece, and Coyle added three of her own.  

The final set was a dominant showing as the Hilltoppers took a 25-15 win, sweeping the Gamecocks in back-to-back games. Skidmore took over with six kills, and Coyle added five more along with two blocks. 

With the wins, the Hilltoppers improve to 9-6 (2-0 in C-USA) on the season. 

WKU will be back in action on Friday, Oct. 4 as the Hilltoppers host their first C-USA game of the season against Kennesaw State.