WKU volleyball extended their winning streak to 11 games this weekend, defeating the FIU Panthers twice in Miami.
In the first game of the weekend the Panthers took the Hilltoppers to the limit in five sets, however WKU was able to escape the five set thriller and take game one.
In the second game of the two game weekend series FIU took the Hilltoppers to five sets once again where WKU was able to escape winning both of the games this weekend.
The two games marked the first time since the beginning of Conference USA play that WKU was taken to five sets.
GAME ONE
To begin the first set, the Hilltoppers and Panthers traded points back and forth before a huge scoring run from WKU led by five kills from sophomore middle hitter Izzy Van De Wiele gave WKU a 24-17 lead. Despite a small run from FIU, WKU put the set away 25-17.
In the second set the Hilltoppers jumped out to an early 6-2 lead after multiple attack errors from the Panthers. FIU could get nothing going as the hitters from WKU were too much. The Hilltoppers put the set away 25-14 after four kills from freshman outside hitter Faith Young.
The Panthers were in a win or go home scenario in the third set. FIU appeared to have WKU figured out as they came out firing. Led by sophomore outside hitter Courtney O’Brien, FIU took a 20-15 lead. WKU had an answer thanks to senior right side hitter Kenadee Coyle giving WKU a 22-20 lead. Despite this FIU had an answer and took the third set 25-23.
FIU started where they left off in the third set, jumping out to a huge 21-13 lead by O’Brien and freshman outside hitter Jillian Huckabey. The Hilltoppers tried to answer, going on a four point scoring run to make it 24-19, but the Panthers put it away 25-19.
The Hilltoppers looked to avoid the reverse sweep against FIU and did just that. Despite the two teams trading blows the attack errors from the Panthers paid dividends as the Hilltoppers closed the set and the match in five sets.
GAME TWO
FIU dominated the first set, taking it 25-14. Senior outside hitter Kaylee Cox and freshman pin hitter Alivia Skidmore led the offense with three kills each. Redshirt junior setter Callie Bauer and Coyle added three digs a piece.
The difference between the first and second sets was staggering. The Hilltoppers dominated on defense to pull even with a 25-19 win. The defense held the Panthers to a .000 hitting percentage. Young led with three kills, along with Cox and Coyle.
The Hilltoppers kept the momentum going with a close win in set three, pulling ahead 25-16. Cox dominated with six kills, while Coyle and Young added a block apiece. A breakout performance from junior libero Callahan Weigandt with two service aces added on a great team performance.
Skidmore set the tone for the fourth set, taking over with four kills and a solo block, and senior outside hitter Katie Howard led the back row with three digs. The Hilltoppers got off to a fast start, leading by as much as seven early on. However, three separate scoring runs of at least three points by FIU was the difference, as the Panthers clawed their way back to take the set 25-21, sending the game to a fifth set.
FIU led early in the final set 2-0, but the Hilltoppers took over with an 8-2 run and never looked back, taking the set 15-9 and avoiding the upset. Van De Wiele led with two blocks, and Cox added a solo block.
The Hilltoppers will be back in action at E.A. Diddle Arena to face off against Louisiana Tech on Friday, Oct. 18 at 6pm.
