WKU volleyball took two games in El Paso this weekend as they defeated the UTEP Miners in both games of a weekend series.

With the wins, the Hilltoppers stand alone at the top of Conference USA, moving to 12-0 in league play.

Before play started against UTEP, WKU announced that Head Coach Travis Hudson and Assistant Head Coach Craig Bere did not travel with the team because of lower leg injuries, 

GAME ONE

To start set one the Hilltoppers and Miners traded points back and forth until WKU took a slim three point lead 13-10 before pulling away. UTEP went on a three point run to make it a 24-21 Hilltopper lead due to attack errors from WKU. Despite the run the Hilltoppers were able to put the set away 25-21 after a service error from the Miners.

Once again in the second set the Hilltoppers and Miners went blow for blow as neither team was able to get an advantage. After errors from the Miners the Hilltoppers took a 13-10 lead before going on another run after multiple kills by sophomore middle hitter Izzy Van De Wiele to make it a 18-14 lead. The Miners looked to stay in it after attack errors from the Hilltoppers, but the swings from WKU were too much as WKU took set two 25-21.

In the third set it appeared UTEP figured out the WKU scheme as the Miners jumped out to a 18-12 lead. After multiple attack errors from the Miners the Hilltoppers were able to close the gap 24-20. The Miners had the momentum and put the set away 25-20.

The third set was much like set one as neither team was able to get momentum as neither team led by more than three points all set. It was ultimately the attack and service errors that played dividends as Van De Wiele and freshman outside hitter Alivia Skidmore had a set high for the Hilltoppers with four kills each. With the costly attack errors from the Miners, WKU put the set and match away to take set four 30-28.

GAME TWO

The first set was grueling, with seven ties and three lead changes. WKU eventually pulled away late, taking the set 25-22. Outside hitter Kaylee Cox led the charge with six kills and two service aces. Faith Young added on with two blocks. 

The miners fought back in the second set, but the Hilltoppers led late due to an incredible performance from Van De Wiele, taking over with four kills. However, a late push from UTEP was just too much, and the Hilltoppers dropped the set 25-22. Cox added four more kills to her total.

The third set was a grind, with WKU coming out on top 25-22 due to an incredible performance from  Skidmore with five kills. Cox continued to be consistent with three blocks. 

Both teams came out hungry in the fourth set, with WKU looking to take the game. The set was close throughout, but the difference was the miners’ six blocks to WKU’s one and UTEP took the set 27-25. Cox dominated with six kills, and Skidmore added four more. 

WKU came out with a fight in the final set, never relenting and protecting their unbeaten record in the conference with a 15-8 win. Redshirt junior setter Callie Bauer added two blocks, and the team dominated with 10. 

The Hilltoppers will be back in action this weekend at Diddle Arena in a doubleheader against New Mexico State. The first game is set to begin at 6 p.m.