After splitting the first two game, the Lady Toppers (26-9) found themselves battling for their season in the fourth game. The Pioneers built as much as a three-point lead in the early stages of the game, but WKU fought back and used a three-point run to pull out to an 18-15 lead after a Whitney McCory kill. The lead grew to five when a DU attack error made it 21-16, and the Lady Toppers held a 27-23 lead following an Aquila Orr kill. From there, Denver scored four of the next five to make it a 28-27 game, but the Lady Toppers got the game point when a kill by Megan Argabright made it 29-27. Two straight WKU attack error tied the game at 29-29, but a kill from Argabright and a block by Argabright and Abbie Siljendahl sent the match to a deciding fifth game.
The Lady Toppers carried that momentum into game five as they opened on a 5-2 run, only to see the Pioneers come back to take an 8-7 lead on a Kelley Porter block. After an Orr kill tied the game, the Pioneers scored three straight to pull out to a 10-7 advantage. Following a timeout, WKU scored six of the next seven to open up a 13-11 lead on an Argabright kill. Two straight WKU errors tied things up at 13-13, but the Lady Toppers regrouped with kills from Julia Noe and Orr to close out the match with a two-point win.
WKU recorded 72 kills in the match, but finished with just a .222 team hitting percentage. Argabright finished with a match-high 25 kills — just one shy of her career high. Jenna Gideon and Orr posted 13 and 11 kills, respectively, while McCory added 10. Ashley Deignan and Kelly Hofmeyer each posted a match-high 16 digs, while Noe finished with 11 digs and 56 assists. Kim Muller and Holly Benson each had 15 kills to pace the Pioneers.
The Lady Toppers will now advance to face third-seeded Florida International in Friday’s second semifinal match. Game time is slated for 7:30 p.m. (CST).
