Sept. 20, 2014 EAST LANSING, Mich.— The WKU volleyball team (11-4) fell behind and couldn't catch back up in the last three sets, as LIU Brooklyn (9-4) took a 3-1 win (25-20, 24-26, 25-18, 25-18) over the Lady Toppers in their final game of the Auto-Owners Insurance Spartan Invitational on Saturday.
WKU had four players hit double-digit kills, led by junior Noelle Langenkamp's 13. Senior Heather Boyan added 12 while junior Haley Bodway and freshman Alyssa Cavanaugh had 11 and 10, respectively.
Freshman Jessica Lucas passed out 44 assists to go with eight digs and three blocks while sophomore Georgia O'Connell led all players with 21 digs. WKU totaled 14 team blocks, as Langenkamp tallied six blocks while Bodway had five and Boyan along with freshman Sydney Engle had four each.
The service game played a big part in the match, as LIU Brooklyn put down 10 service aces while WKU had 14 service errors.
Opening the contest with a 6-1 lead, WKU carried that early momentum to a 13-6 advantage. The Lady Toppers got ahead as much as seven before LIU Brooklyn rallied late in the set to put the score at 23-19; however, WKU would close out the first frame 25-20.
Hanging with each other in the beginning, LIU Brooklyn made itself a leading score after a 5-0 run put the lead at 9-5. WKU closed the gap two times with tied scores at points 15 and 17, but the Blackbirds would distance themselves at 22-18 with a service ace. WKU continued to compete, tying the set at 24, but back-to-back kills from LIU Brooklyn sealed the win at 26-24.
A 3-0 run for LIU Brooklyn put the foes on top to start the third set 8-4. WKU was within two at 12-10, but another run of three-straight points gave LIU Brooklyn breathing room at 15-10 and having WKU call a break. The Blackbirds continued to hold the advantage throughout the set, taking it 25-18.
LIU Brooklyn strung points together easily in the fourth set, as four straight gave it a 6-2 lead and forcing WKU to the benches. Down by seven, WKU tabbed three-consecutive points with kills by Cavanaugh and Boyan and a block from Boyan and S. Engle to cut the lead to 14-10. LIU Brooklyn would climb ahead as much as nine before taking the set 25-18.
WKU returns to E.A. Diddle Arena next week with a match against Tennessee Tech on Tuesday, Sept. 23. The match will be WKU's "Dig 4 Pink" match, as it will be a free event and the first 250 fans will receive a free pink pom pom. Donations will be accepted for the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation and Hope for Harlie. It will also be Special Olympics Night with participants receiving a free ticket and unlimited $3 tickets for friends and family.
The 2014 WKU volleyball season is being presented by the United States Marines. This season, the Marines and WKU Athletics are working together to promote the outstanding athletic and academic achievements of our female student-athletes. The Marines are proud to work with and support these future leaders of America.
For all the latest news and information on WKU volleyball, visit WKUSports.com or follow the program on Twitter via @TravisHudsonWKU and @WKUVolleyball.
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