WKU volleyball returned to E.A. Diddle arena Friday, Oct 4 and Saturday, Oct. 5, defeating the Kennesaw State Owls in two games.
The wins on the weekend extended WKU’s win streak to seven games. The Hilltoppers have not lost a set in those seven contests.
Game One
The Hilltoppers started right where they left off last week against Jacksonville State as the Hilltoppers took an early 13-9 lead in the first set behind the swing of freshman outside hitter Faith Young. Despite Kennesaw State’s best effort the Hilltopper swing was too much for the Owls as WKU took set one 25-18.
WKU did not take their foot off the gas in the second set as they took a 13-7 lead and did not look back after two service aces from senior outside hitter Kaylee Cox. Kennesaw State tried to get back into the set from kills by junior outside hitter Manu Johnsen, however another serving run by senior outside Katie Howard gave WKU an 18-10 lead. WKU went on to win the set 25-17.
It was sudden death for Kennesaw State as they looked to force a fourth set. It was the freshman duo of Young and outside hitter Alivia Skidmore who put the Hilltoppers up 20-12 late in the third set. Kennesaw State tried to close the gap with late kills by redshirt sophomore middle blocker Olivia Burrage but it was too little too late as the Hilltoppers took set three and ultimately the match 25-17.
Game Two
The first set was a back-and-forth affair as the point difference was never more than four points for either team. The Owls led the Hilltoppers in kills, but a strong set from Cox led the charge to a victory, taking the set 25-23. Cox took over with five kills and redshirt junior setter Callie Bauer added four. Sophomore middle-hitter Izzy Van De Wiele anchored the defense with two blocks.
The momentum from the first set powered the Hilltoppers to complete domination, taking the second set 25-12. The defense was clicking, adding six service aces in the match. Junior middle hitter Gabby Wiehe and Skidmore led the offense with three kills each.
The final set was business as usual for the Hilltoppers, similar to the second set. The Hilltoppers took the set 25-15 led by Van De Wiele with three kills. Bauer took over with two service aces and a block, and Cox added two service aces of her own.
WKU continues the conference play grind with two matches against Middle Tennessee. The first is set for Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 6 pm.
