WKU Volleyball took on Middle Tennessee State University Friday and Saturday in Murfreesboro, sweeping the Blue Raiders both days.
The freshman duo of outside hitters Kaira Knox and Sonja Laaksonen led the way this weekend. On Friday, Knox led the way with 15 kills and Laaksonen led with 10 on Saturday.
The sophomore duo of outside hitters Alivia Skidmore and Faith Young continued their stellar seasons, both finishing with 15 kills on the weekend.
Game One
WKU took set one 25-13. The set started as a back-and-forth, but the Hilltoppers quickly found their footing and didn’t let up. Freshman right side hitter Kaira Knox helped lead the Hilltoppers to victory with four kills during the set. A block from Skidmore put the set away.
WKU took set two 25-20. The Blue Raiders opened the scoring, but the Hilltoppers turned it into a back-and-forth affair. Knox continued this set with six kills, and Skidmore had five. The sixth kill from Knox put the set away for the Hilltoppers.
WKU took set three 25-19. The score was an early back-and-forth before WKU took the lead. The Blue Raiders went on a five-point scoring run to make a two-point deficit 13-11. Another five kills from Knox helped lead the Hilltoppers to the finish line. A kill from sophomore outside hitter Faith Young put the set and match away for the Hilltoppers.
Game Two
WKU took set one 25-23. MTSU came out of the gates hot early, taking advantage of the holes in the block of the Hilltoppers taking an 8-5 lead. WKU was able to gain their footing, going on a 6-0 run. The swings from the Hilltoppers continued to find the ground, taking a late 18-13 lead. The Blue Raiders went on a 5-0 run, behind errors from the Hilltoppers to tie it 18-18. Both teams continued to go back-and-forth until the 23-23 mark. An error and kill from Knox gave the set to WKU.
WKU took set two 25-17. The Hilltoppers continued to ride their first set momentum jumping out to a 7-2 lead. MTSU could not stop the swings from WKU, unable to lead in the set. WKU continued to have the Blue Raiders number, controlling the set with their swings and defense. A kill from Skidmore gave the set to the Hilltoppers.
WKU took set three and the match 25-17. Neither team wanted to give in, trading points back-and-forth 5-5. WKU was able to gain distance taking a 15-11 lead off of MTSU errors. The Blue Raiders continued to struggle stopping the swings of WKU as they fell down 20-14 late. Unable to stop the hot offense of the Hilltoppers, a swing from middle hitter Izzy Van De Wiele put the set and match away.
The Hilltoppers return back to Diddle Arena next weekend for their last home games of the regular season against Delaware.
