The Hilltoppers, with their 100-game regular-season conference win streak on the line, were defeated on Friday by UTEP in a sweep.
WKU answered back on Saturday, sweeping UTEP to split the weekend series. The weekend leaves WKU second place in Conference USA, with a conference record of 9-1 and an overall record of 18-5, behind UTEP.
“We have a new headline, Western Kentucky has a streak of one in a row,” Head Coach Travis Hudson said.
The Hilltoppers had a balanced attack this weekend, with five players finishing with five or more kills. Sophomore duo Alivia Skidmore and Faith Young finished with 21 and 18 kills, respectively on the weekend.
“It’s incredible what we are doing offensively, we are fifth in the country right now (hitting percentage),” said Hudson. “We are going to score.”
Game One
The Miners took the first set 23-25. The set started as a tight back-and-forth between UTEP and WKU. It remained that way until the 20-20 mark, when the Miners found their footing and did not let up. WKU managed to score three more points, but a kill from senior outside hitter Sara Pustahija put the set away for UTEP.
The Hilltoppers dropped the second set 20-25. The Miners entered the set strong, answering everything the Hilltoppers sent their way. The Hilltoppers went on a 4-0 scoring run to create a one-point deficit. The Miners came back even stronger after a UTEP timeout, only letting the Hilltoppers score five more points. UTEP’s sophomore outside hitter Landry Braziel put the set away.
UTEP took the third set 20-25. The Hilltoppers finally found their footing and took an early lead against the Miners. The set became a back-and-forth despite the Hilltoppers’ efforts, and UTEP came out on top. UTEP’s sophomore middle blocker Hannah Crowe put the set and match away for the Miners.
Game Two
WKU took set one 25-22. The Hilltoppers came out of the gates hot, taking a 9-4 lead behind five service aces. UTEP was able to answer, going on a 4-0 run to cut the deficit to 12-9. WKU’s lead quickly diminished, as the swings from the Miners tied it up 20-20 late. The Hilltoppers were able to find seams in the Miners’ defense, taking the set off a kill from Skidmore.
WKU took set two 25-16. Neither team seemed to get its footing early, trading points back and forth. The swings from the Hilltoppers gave them breathing room, taking a 15-11 lead. UTEP could not stop the swings from WKU, falling behind 23-16 late. Errors from the Miners gave the set to the Hilltoppers.
WKU took set three and the match 25-15. Much like in set one, WKU jumped out to a quick lead, 8-4, capitalizing on UTEP errors. The Hilltoppers did not allow the Miners any breathing room, extending their lead 16-9, finding holes in the block. WKU continued to find the floor behind the arms of Skidmore, and the freshman duo of Sonja Laaksonen and Kaira Knox. A service ace from Young gave the Hilltoppers the set and the match.
WKU will go back on the road next weekend to take on Middle Tennessee State, Oct. 31, 6 p.m. CT.
