This weekend's matches will be streamed on cusa.tv, Conference USA's home for live events, for fans who elect to subscribe.
MATCHES 15-16
WKU (14-0) at Middle Tennessee (5-7)
March 20 & 21, 2021 | 1 p.m. CT
Alumni Memorial Gym | Murfreesboro, Tenn.
BROADCAST
Saturday:
Stats | CUSA.tv
Sunday:
Stats | CUSA.tv
Match Notes: WKU | Middle Tennessee
TOP STORYLINES
- WKU and Middle Tennessee have gone head-to-head 66 times, with WKU holding a record of 50-16 in those matches. The Hilltoppers have claimed the last 15 meetings in addition to owning a 20-7 record when playing in Murfreesboro. The teams met last in the Conference USA Tournament in 2019, where the Tops knocked the Blue Raiders out in the opening round with a 3-0 sweep.
- The Hilltoppers' 14-0 start is a new best for the best undefeated start in program history. An 8-0 reading was previously the top undefeated mark and had been achieved by three prior WKU squads.
- WKU has dropped just three sets all season winning 42 of 45 total sets played this season. WKU's second match against Marshall was the first time all season the Tops trailed in a match after the Herd claimed the opening frame to end WKU's 25-consecutive sets won streak. West Virginia would also take the opening frame off the Tops before Hudson's crew rattled off the next three sets to secure the victory.
- The Tops will visit Old Dominion on March 26 and 27 in a make-up from the previously postponed series. Play will open at 6 p.m. CT on March 26 and at 11:30 a.m. CT on March 27.
- Nadia Dieudonne was named one of 30 candidates for the Senior CLASS Award. The honor is awarded to student-athletes who have notable achievements in four different areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition. The Louisville, Ky., native is one of two transfers to earn the distinction.
- WKU Volleyball will be wearing "AC" patches on all of its jerseys this season to honor the life of Hilltopper legend Alyssa Cavanaugh who passed away on December 25, 2020. Cavanaugh is the most-decorated player in program history.
- In Conference USA's first season utilizing divisions, WKU has been predicted to win the East Division by the league's coaches. WKU's counterpart from the West was Rice – a program that the Hilltoppers have no shortage of high-level battles against.
- Rice, 10-0 in league matches this season, has already secured the West Division title. With a sweep of MTSU this weekend, WKU would lock up the regular season championship in the East.
- Junior Lauren Matthews was selected as the Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year and was joined on the Preseason All-Conference Team by Paige Briggs and Nadia Dieudonne. All three won superlative awards last season and would go on to earn AVCA All-Region accolades.
- WKU Volleyball jumped one spot to the No. 20 ranking in the most recent American Volleyball Coaches Association Poll (AVCA). This is the second time the Hilltoppers have reached the top-20 this season after coming in at No. 25 in the Preseason Poll.
WIESEMANN ORTHODONTICS
Your 2020-21 WKU Volleyball spring season is presented by Wiesemann Orthodontics – get the smile you have always wanted!
How to Follow WKU Volleyball: For complete information on WKU Volleyball, follow the team on Twitter at @WKUVolleyball and head coach Travis Hudson at @TravisHudsonWKU. The team is also on Instagram and Facebook.
