BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - In the first match of the WKU Tournament for WKU, the Lady Toppers (6-3) defeated Tennessee State in three sets (25-22, 25-22, 25-13). Then, they took down Northern Illinois in three sets (25-20, 25-13, 25-18) to improve their record to 6-3 this season.
Against Tennessee State, the Lady Toppers got off to a slow start but rallied in the first set to easily defeat the Tigers 25-22. After falling behind by as much as four early in the set, WKU managed to take the lead for the first time at the 17 point mark off a kill by sophomore Tiffany Elmore. With the score tied at 17, the Lady Toppers never fell behind again winning the set off an ace by senior Lindsey Gould. In the first set, WKU collected ten kills but committed eight errors while Tennessee State picked up 11 kills and only six errors.
In the second set, the Lady Toppers took an early 3-0 lead after a kill by junior Emily Teegarden, an ace by sophomore Lauren Stuckel and a Tiger error. The Lady Toppers never allowed Tennessee State to tie the set and the Lady Toppers took a 2-0 advantage in the match after another kill by Teegarden secured the set win. In the set, the Lady Toppers recorded 13 kills and finished with a .286 hitting percentage.
The Lady Toppers were unstoppable in the third set posting another 13 kills in 22 attempts for a .455 hitting percentage, their best of the match. After falling behind 0-1 to start things off, the Lady Toppers scored ten consecutive points to secure their fifth victory of the season.
WKU finished the match with 36 kills and 16 errors for an overall hitting percentage of .244. The Lady toppers were led by Teegarden and senior Abbie Siljendahl. Teegarden finished with a match high ten kills for a .389 hitting percentage while Siljendahl posted a .467 hitting percentage after tallying nine kills and only two errors. Stuckel led the Lady Toppers in assists with 32 while freshman Sarah Rogers recorded seven digs to lead the team and Elmore racked up five blocks.
Tennessee State managed just 28 kills in the contest and committed 22 errors and finished with a .071 hitting percentage.
In front of a loud crowd at E.A. Diddle Arena, the Lady Toppers completed their perfect day defeating Northern Illinois 3-0 (25-20, 25-13, 25-18).
In set one, the Lady Toppers hit .400 after collecting 17 kills and only posting one error. After falling behind 1-0 after a kill by Kaitlyn Pascus and battling with the Huskies through four points, the Lady Toppers took the lead off a kill by Elmore and never looked back. Up 24-20, the Lady Toppers took set one after an error by Northern Illinois.
Once again, WKU fell behind 1-0 to start off the second set but fought back to take the lead. With the score tied at three, the Lady Toppers scored the next seven points to go ahead 10-3. Then, the Lady Toppers continued to strengthen their lead of the Huskies and outscored Northern Illinois 15-10 the rest of the way. In the set, WKU hit .455 after recording another 11 kills and just one error.
Finally, in set three, the Lady Toppers fell behind 2-0 before their scored their first point off a kill by Teegarden. After tying the set up at three, the lady toppers took their first lead of the night at 5-4 after a kill by freshman Jordyn Skinner. Then, with the Lady Toppers leading 24-8, Siljendahl clinched the victory for the Lady Toppers picking up her 13th kill of the match.
In the match, the Lady Toppers recorded 44 kills, a .389 hitting percentage, 43 assists, 35 digs and eight team blocks. Siljendahl led the way for the Lady Toppers on offense posting 13 kills and just on e error in 17 attempts for a .706 hitting percentage. Once again, Stuckel and Rogers led the team in assists and digs with 31 and 12 respectively. In blocks, senior Brittany Bowen led the way with five.
WKU will hit the court tomorrow at 2 p.m. CT when they battle Memphis in the final game of the WKU Tournament. Fans attending the WKU football game against South Florida will receive free admission to the match. Live stats will also be available at www.wkusports.com.
