BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - The Western Kentucky University volleyball team returns to action Tuesday night against No. 23 Cincinnati at E.A. Diddle Arena. The match is slated to begin at 7 p.m. and is the first of three home matches this week.
"It is a big match for us because we are still a highly-ranked RPI team and this is a chance for u s to improve our status in terms of the selection committee at the end of the year," WKU coach Travis Hudson said. "Although it is stepping out of conference, I think it is in a very good spot in our schedule and means a lot coming out."
The Lady Toppers (19-5) have won 11 of their last 12 matches, including a pair of Sun Belt Conference victories on the road against Florida Atlantic and FIU. WKU junior Tiffany Elmore earned SBC Player of the Week honors for her part in the victories.
Elmore totaled 31 kills in eight sets over the weekend for an average of 3.88 per set. She committed only three errors in 58 total attempts for a .483 hitting percentage over the two games. Elmore is tied for first place in the league in hitting percentage and has led WKU in that category for most of the season. Against Florida Atlantic, Elmore posted a team-high 13 kills and a .600 hitting percentage. She continued her strong play against FIU, leading the team with 18 kills and a .421 hitting percentage. Elmore has collected double-digit kills in 11 matches this season.
Cincinnati (17-4) had its 10-match winning streak snapped Saturday as Louisville rallied from a 2-0 deficit and upset the Bearcats, 3-2. The loss dropped Cincinnati into a three-way tie for first in the Big East Conference with Villanova and Louisville. The defeat also broke a school-record 29 set winning streak.
"They've got all the pieces to be a top-25 team," Hudson said. "They are a very physical team. They are a very experienced team; they return virtually their entire roster from a year ago. And they are a team that we've struggled with the last few years. They've been a challenge for us and we know that coming in here tomorrow night, we have our hands full."
Cincinnati leads the Big East in assists, at 13.55 per set, and kills, at 14.44 per set. Defending Big East Conference Player of the Year, Stephanie Niemer leads the league with 5.42 kills per set, a total of 396 on the season.
Cincinnati leads the all-time series with WKU 14-3, including eight straight victories, dating back to 2003. The Bearcats are 5-1 against the Lady Toppers at E.A. Diddle Arena. The lone victory for WKU at home came in 2002, a 3-0 win for the Lady Tops. In 2009, Cincinnati picked up a 3-1 victory in front of their home crowd. WKU then-freshman Jordyn Skinner recorded a double-double with 12 kills and 10 digs. Niemer posted 21 kills to lead Cincinnati.
Beginning Tuesday, WKU will play six of its final eight regular-season matches at E.A. Diddle Arena. The Lady Toppers have a record of 6-1 at home this season.
"I think it is a great way to have our schedule put together because this is the time of year that you really start wearing down," Hudson said. "And to be able to avoid going on another road trip and being able to sleep in your own beds and do those things, I think is going to be a real boost for us down the stretch."
Match Notes
