While also piling up 12 aces to the Redhawks' two, redshirt-freshman Callie Bauer got the starting spot in setter, securing 31 assists on the morning.
Set 1
Lauren Matthews scored the first point of the fall 2022 campaign for the Hilltoppers with a kill to even the score at 1-1 in the early goings against Miami off the assist from Callie Bauer. The Tops would take a 3-0 run, leading by four points before the Redhawks would strike back to even the match back and forth. Following a Miami timeout, the Hilltoppers would go on a near 8-0 on the attack to keep the Redhawks in single digits. Another 7-0 stretch solidified by a double block by Bauer and Matthews sealed the frame. WKU hit a match-best .684 in the final frame
Set 2
Grappling out for a closer match up, Miami of Ohio scored the first point of the second frame off of a double block, but the Tops answered back to even score with a service ace off the hand of Jennifer Rush. The Grizzles would work back and take the lead at 15-14 but out of a timeout the Tops would knot things up. A rally back and forth with the Tops wagering a three-point lead would gather seven points on the board in the middle of the frame. The Redhawks inched closer to a slim 22-20 Hilltoppers lead, but the Red and White struck for three of the last five points to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Set 3
After a kill off the hand of Miami's Brooke Jackson, WKU went on a three-point run with two kills from Matthews and another from sophomore Katie Howard to start off the final set. At the 13-9 mark in the Hilltoppers' favor, WKU would go on an eight point run to wager the score by nearly 10 points to top the Redhawks. A final four-run stretch would conclude with a service ace from Schaefer and a kill from Katie Isenbarger. Freshman Logan Grevengoed would make her collegiate debut in the frame, appearing on the front right side. A Katie Isenbarger kill would eventually solidify the 25-12 score and the match.
SCHEDULE
Friday, August 26 – No. 21 WKU def. Miami (OH), 3-0
Friday, August 26 – 6:30 p.m. CT | at Bradley | Stats | Watch | WKU Radio (ESPN 102.7)
Saturday, August 27 – 1 p.m. CT | No. 21 WKU vs. Kansas City | Stats | WKU Radio (98.3 FM The EDGE)
POST-MATCH NOTES
- Revamping with a new slate after five seniors graduating, WKU started Callie Bauer, Paige Briggs, Kenadee Coyle, Katie Howard, Lauren Matthews, Katie Isenbarger, and Abby Schaefer.
- Friday's meeting was the10th between the sides in program history, giving WKU a 6-4 lead in the all-time series.
- With the win over Miami, WKU has now won four-straight season opening matches.
- Freshmen Abby Schaefer, Callahan Weigandt, Logan Grevengoed, as well as redshirt Callie Bauer made their Hilltopper debuts against Miami.
- Senior Jennifer Rush picked up her new career-best five kills on eight swings in the match up.
- Redshirt-freshman Callie Bauer racked up 31 assists to go along with five digs.
- With the win, head coach Travis Hudson is now 19-8 all-time in season openers.
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
