WKU Volleyball closed out its regular season with a weekend sweep against Liberty on the road.
Strong defensive and offensive plays from the Hilltoppers led the team to victory. Freshman right side hitter Kaira Knox and sophomore outside hitter Alivia Skidmore ended the weekend with double-digit points across the two days.
Game One
WKU took set one 25-20. Neither team was able to get the upper hand, going back and forth 11-11. The Hilltoppers took advantage of attack errors from Liberty, going on a 4-0 run, taking a 15-11 lead. WKU continued to take advantage of the Flames’ errors, and a kill from Knox put the set away.
WKU took set two 25-22. Much like set one, neither team could find momentum, tied 13-13 late. Behind errors from Liberty and multiple kills from Skidmore, gave the Hilltoppers an 18-13 lead. Liberty looked to close the gap, going on multiple runs to cut the deficit to 21-18 late. Despite the momentum from the Flames, WKU continued to find the floor. A kill from sophomore outside hitter Faith Young put the set away with a kill.
WKU took set three and the match 25-17. The Hilltoppers continued to ride momentum from set two, taking an early 7-3 lead. Liberty could not stop the swings from WKU, as the Hilltoppers took a 20-9 lead. The Hilltoppers looked to close the set out; however, the Flames took advantage of attack errors trying to get back in the set 24-17. Despite the run, WKU was able to regroup. A kill from freshman outside hitter Sonja Laaksonen put the set and match away.
Game Two
WKU took set one 25-13. Despite an early back-and-forth, the Hilltoppers quickly found their footing and took the lead against Liberty. The Flames still couldn’t find momentum after two timeouts. Strong offense and defense drove the Hilltoppers home. A service error from Liberty’s freshman setter Alison Bierwagon put the set away for WKU.
WKU took set two 26-24. Another back-and-forth opened the set as neither team wanted to give up the point fight. Liberty gained momentum and took the lead 12-15. Out of the media timeout, the Hilltoppers looked to tie the game back up. A battle until the end, sophomore defensive specialist Camila Adams put the match away for WKU with a service ace.
WKU took set three 25-20. The Hilltoppers dominated the court early in the game, taking the lead with a 4-0 scoring run. Liberty tied the game at 10-10. The game became a brief back-and-forth, but the Hilltoppers came back on top. An attack error from Liberty’s freshman middle blocker Laney Daniell put the set and match away for WKU.
