WKU Volleyball claimed the Conference USA tournament championship Sunday with a 3-1 win over the New Mexico State Aggies. 

The Hilltoppers won their second straight C-USA tournament championship and guaranteed their spot in the NCAA tournament. 

SET ONE

NMSU came out in the first set and took complete control, opening up on an 8-0 run, led by four kills by fifth-year outside hitter Mari Sharp. The Hilltoppers rallied behind senior outside hitter Kaylee Cox’s five kills to pull the Hilltoppers within one late 20-19. Despite WKU battling back NMSU had the answers and took set one 25-21.

SET TWO

WKU took a 16-10 lead in the second set as the Aggies had no answer for the swing of WKU. Cox continued to tool the block of NMSU adding seven kills, and freshman outside hitter Faith Young added four of her own as the Hilltoppers took set two 25-18.

SET THREE

Neither team pulled away early in the third set. The Hilltoppers began to get separation going into the media timeout after two kills put them in front 15-11. The difference maker was C-USA Player of the Year Cox. The Aggies had no answers for the swing of the Hilltoppers as a kill from freshman outside hitter Alivia Skidmore put the set away 25-19.

SET FOUR

Much like set three, neither team could pull away. The Hilltoppers took a 15-12 lead into the media timeout. WKU took a 24-18 lead, but the Aggies would not go away. NMSU went on a three-point scoring run, but it was too little, too late, as Cox put the set and match away 25-21.

WKU will find out their seeding on Sunday, Dec.1 for the 2024 NCAA tournament.

Sports Reporter Peyton Reid can be reached at [email protected].