WKU Volleyball continued their domination in Conference USA this weekend, as they took two games against New Mexico State at Diddle Arena to improve to 14-0 in conference play.
The Hilltoppers were led by acting head coach Jena Otec as Head Coach Travis Hudson and Associate Head Coach Craig Bere missed their second consecutive series with an injury,
GAME ONE
It was a slow start to set one for both teams as neither team could pull away. Kills from freshman outside hitter Alivia Skidmore and senior outside hitter Kaylee Cox gave the Hilltoppers enough space to take a four point lead 20-16. Despite a late surge from the Aggies to tie set one up 22-22, it was not enough as a service ace from freshman outside hitter Faith Young put the set away 25-23.
Much like in set one neither team was able to get the upper hand as the Hilltoppers and Aggies were tied 15-15 halfway through the set. A small run from WKU put them up 20-16 before the Aggies answered with a run of their own due to attack errors from the Hilltoppers to make it a 20-19 WKU advantage. It was ultimately the attack errors from New Mexico State that paid dividends as the Hilltoppers took set two 25-21.
The Aggies came out firing in the third set taking a quick 5-0 lead before the swings from sophomore middle hitter Izzy Van De Wiele and Skidmore took over to tie the set 6-6. After the quick start from the Aggies both teams traded points back and forth before WKU went on a three point run to lead 22-19 late. An attack error from the Aggies and a kill from senior right side hitter Kenadee Coyle put the set and match away 25-21.
GAME TWO
The first set was a back in forth affair, as both teams had several runs. With the score tied at 19-19, the Hilltoppers did just enough to win, outscoring the Aggies narrowly 6-4 the rest of the way. Skidmore led the way with a .500 clip, even scoring the deciding point.Van De Wiele anchored the defense with two blocks.
The Hilltoppers came out firing to start the second set, leading for most of the way. But the Aggies fought back late, even tying the set at 23-23. Once again, the Hilltoppers came up clutch late, led by a kill by Van De Wiele. Skidmore added two more kills to her total, and Coyle led with two solo blocks.
The Aggies exploded to take a 21-11 lead in the third set. The set seemed lost, but the Hilltoppers went on a huge run to take the set. It started slow, with the Hilltoppers taking five straight sets to pull within five. But the Aggies took a 24-22 lead, with just one more point to win the set. However, Van De Wiele dominated with two kills in the final frame and the Hilltoppers completed the sweep 26-24.
WKU Volleyball will look to continue their 17-game win streak as they head to Huntsville next weekend to take on Sam Houston State.
Sports Reporter Peyton Reid can be reached at [email protected].
Sports Reporter Austin Rice can be reached at [email protected].
