WKU Volleyball’s season came to a close Thursday with a 3-1 loss to the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the first round of the NCAA tournament. 

Despite the loss freshman outside hitter Alivia Skidmore made her presence known with 17 kills, just two shy from her career high. Four players had double-digit kills, one being C-USA player of the year Kaylee Cox who ended with 12 kills.

SET ONE

The first set did not disappoint. Neither team was able to pull away, going into the media timeout Minnesota had a slight 15-14 advantage. Coming out of the timeout WKU went on a four-point scoring run taking an 18-15 lead. The Gophers did not go away taking the lead late 21-20. The Gophers took set one 25-22 due to the huge swings from redshirt senior outside Lydia Grote and graduate middle blocker Phoebe Awoleye.

SET TWO

In the second set, it was all Minnesota. Going on a six-point run early taking an early six-point lead 11-5. The Hilltoppers tried getting back into the set pulling it within four 24-20. However, Grote was too much putting the set away 25-20.

SET THREE

Much like in set one neither team was able to pull away. Late in the set, the Gophers took the slight 19-18 lead looking to close the door on the Hilltoppers. However, seniors Cox and Kenadee Coyle came alive not wanting their college careers to end, scoring the Hilltoppers five of their last seven points taking set three 25-19.

SET FOUR

Once again neither team was able to pull away by more than five points. WKU took control for most of set four until a five-point run saw the Gophers tie it 19-19. Once again the Hilltoppers took a 23-21 lead looking to force a decisive fifth set. The swing of Minnesota was too much as the Gophers battled back and took set four and the match 25-23.

With the Minnesota win WKU season comes to an end with a record of 28-7.

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