This was the Hilltoppers' 16th straight win over Charlotte, a streak that predates Travis Hudson's tenure and dates back to October 2nd, 1987.
Lauren Matthews led the way for the Hilltoppers with 13 kills off of 23 attacks. Four Hilltoppers recorded multiple aces in the match. Katie Howard led that category with four, a career best for the Bowling Green native. In addition to the 11 aces, the Hilltoppers had a clean game behind the line committing just two errors on 74 attempts for a .973 serve percentage.
Western Kentucky 3, Charlotte 0 – 25-18, 25-19, 25-19
SET 1
Isenbarger and the Hilltoppers picked up where they left off Friday night with an ace to take the first point of the set. The two exchanged points but WKU took a 6-4 lead after a pair of 49er errors. The Tops maintained at least a 2-point edge until Charlotte knotted things up at 11 after back-to-back points. WKU responded with two of their own capped by an ace from Katie Howard. Charlotte called time after a 3-0 WKU run gave the Tops their largest lead of the frame, a 17-13 default. A kill by Isenbarger and an attack error forced the 49ers into their final timeout with WKU up by five. A long shot put the 49ers backs against the wall and The Tops secured the set with a block from Lauren Matthews. Paige Briggs led the way for the Hilltoppers in the frame notching four kills and seven digs.
SET 2
Kenadee Coyle and Lauren Matthews opened the scoring in set two, with each recording a kill. Katie Howard served up an ace to give the Tops a 5-1 advantage. After a Briggs and Isenbarger block and an ace from Abby Schaefer, WKU was on top 8-2. Charlotte ended the 5-0 Hilltopper run with a block to cut the lead to six, 9-3. The Tops recorded their fourth ace of the set, back-to-back from Ashley Hood forcing Charlotte to call for a break with WKU up. Callie Bauer caught the 49er reception off guard and floated one over the net giving the Tops a 16-11 lead. Charlotte cut the lead to three with a 3-0 run but an errant serve ended the run, WKU up 21-17. Isenbarger notched a kill, Charlotte responded but Matthews slammed the door on the 49ers in set two, 25-19. The Hilltoppers recorded an ace six times in the frame.
SET 3
A Lauren Matthews kill opened the scoring in the third set but Charlotte responded with a point of their own. Isenbarger fired one in between 49er defenders for her fifth kill of the match, while up 6-4. Charlotte cut the lead to one but a serving error followed by an ace from Howard brought the Hilltopper lead back to three, 14-11. Back-to-back errors from the 49ers gave the Tops an 18-15 edge and Charlotte was forced to burn their first timeout of the set. After the deficit was cut to one, the Hilltoppers rolled off three straight and the 49ers called their final timeout with a 22-18 margin. The Tops got to match point off a Charlotte attack error. A 49er kill quieted the crowd briefly, but Matthews sent the 49ers on their way with her sixth kill of the set.
NEXT UP
Earning a long break before their next contest, The Hilltoppers welcome the UTSA Roadrunners next Sunday, October 9. First serve is set for noon from Diddle Arena.
POST-MATCH NOTES
- WKU used the lineup of Paige Briggs, Katie Howard, Lauren Matthews, Katie Isenbarger, Kenadee Coyle, Callie Bauer and Abby Schaefer at libero for the match. This is the 17th time this season Coach Hudson has used this combination
- In the series, WKU continued the win streak bringing the total to 16 straight and have the all-time series edge 19-3 over the Charlotte 49ers.
- Fifth-year Lauren Matthews tallied 13 kills off of 23 attempts for a .391 hitting clip for 14 points on the day. Katie Isenbarger added five kills for a team high .625 clip on eight attempts.
- Katie Isenbarger added nine kills for a team high .692 clip on 13 attempts. The .692 hit percentage is now her season high.
- WKU managed 11 aces on the night with Katie Howard having a career day with four followed by Schaefer with three.
- The Hilltoppers now stand at 16-2 and undefeated in C-USA play (4-0).
- Head coach Travis Hudson is now 709-220 across his career on the Hill.
- WKU Volleyball is now up to an all-time program record of 987-494 with Sunday's victory.
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.
