Oct. 3, 2013
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - The Western Kentucky University volleyball team (13-4, 3-0) finishes off the week with a pair of Sun Belt Conference matches against newcomers Texas State (12-5, 2-0) and UT Arlington (9-6, 2-0). The Bobcats come to Bowling Green on Friday at 6 p.m. CT while WKU takes on the Mavericks on Saturday at 3 p.m. CT.
Game Information
• Friday, October 4; Texas State at 6 p.m. CT; E.A. Diddle Arena
• Saturday, October 5; UT Arlington at 3 p.m. CT; E.A. Diddle Arena
Viewing Information
• Live stats available for both matches at WKUSports.com
• Live video for both matches at WKUSports.com
Promotions
• Friday vs. Texas State
• Hand Signs Giveaway - First 500 fans will receive a "Point Tops" hand sign.
• Saturday vs. UT Arlington
• HAF Night - All HAF members will receive one free ticket when they present a valid WKU ID.
Against Texas State, UT Arlington
The match on Friday will be the first meeting between WKU and Texas State. WKU and UT Arlington have met just one time, as the Lady Toppers were swept by the Mavericks at the Kentucky Invitational in Lexington in 1987.
First-Time Opponents in 2013
The Bobcats of Texas State will be the last first-time opponent for WKU in the regular season. The Lady Toppers have met five other first timers during the non-conference slate, putting up a 3-2 record with wins over Alabama A&M, Florida A&M and UNLV while falling to nationally-ranked USC and Florida State.
Against League Newcomers
With over 30 years as a member of the Sun Belt Conference, WKU has seen 17 league members enter into the SBC and two other schools rejoin the conference. In WKU's SBC history, the Lady Toppers are 8-2 in the regular season against members coming into the league during their first season.
Undefeated in Sun Belt Conference
WKU, Texas State and UT Arlington are three of four teams undefeated in Sun Belt Conference action this season, but at least one team will lose that title this weekend. Since 2010, WKU has played two teams that were undefeated in league play after at least two SBC matches. The Lady Toppers defeated FIU (10-3, 2-0) 3-0 in September 2011 while falling 0-3 to Middle Tennessee (14-4, 5-0) in October 2010.
Langenkamp on Target
Sophomore Noelle Langenkamp is in no sophomore slump. The Cincinnati native has put down 15 kills, a career high, in the last two matches while hitting .789 at Georgia State on Wednesday. The hitting mark ranks fifth all-time in WKU single-match records, knocking out junior Heather Boyan's .765 against Florida Atlantic last season. Her percentage is also a conference high this year. Through three conference matches, Langenkamp is hitting .643 with 39 kills while in the team's seven-straight wins she has a team-best .508 hitting percentage.
Numbers to Note--SBC Matches
Including the conference tournament, WKU has not lost to a SBC opponent since Oct. 4, 2011 (MTSU)--a streak of 35 matches. In just regular-season matches, WKU has won 29-straight contests.
Since 2008, WKU has only dropped six sets to current SBC members. During that span, WKU only lost one match (Oct. 9, 2008, at UALR, 0-3).
Against current SBC members, WKU has won 15-consecurive regular-season matches in straight sets. With the conference tournament added, WKU has won 17-straight sweeps.
Since 2008, WKU has won 42-consecutive matches against current SBC members with 39 during the regular season.
Including all SBC members (former and current), WKU is 72-12 in league action since 2008.
To view full game notes, click here.
Next Home Match
• Friday, October 11; ULM at 7 p.m. CT; E.A. Diddle Arena
