WKU secured a victory for the 19th straight time against FIU, a streak that dates back exactly 11 years to September 30th, 2011.
Paige Briggs led the way for the Red and White notching ten kills off of 21 attacks for a .429 hitting clip. She also grabbed six digs, 2.5 blocks, and an ace to notch her 100th career service ace. Katie Isenbarger grabbed five kills off of eight total attacks for a team high .625 hitting percentage. She also picked up five total blocks for 11 points on the night.
The Hilltoppers held FIU to a mere .135 hitting percentage which was the lowest for an opponent in conference play and the lowest since the Tops conquered the Lady Vols at Rocky Top back on September 13th.
Western Kentucky 3, FIU 0 – 25-16, 25-17, 25-19
SET 1
The first round started off with a denial at the net from Katie Howard, followed by three more points for the Red and White before FIU got on the board. After a kill by Howard, FIU rolled off three points to bring it within one, 5-4. After a successful Panther challenge and a kill, the set was tied at seven a piece. Isenbarger recorded a block and Briggs struck a kill for the Tops to gain a two-point edge. Matthews later notched her first kill of the frame to give WKU a 14-10 advantage, while Isenbarger recorded her second block of the set forcing a Panther timeout as the Hilltoppers are leading 17-12. The Hilltoppers took their largest lead of the set after Bauer recorded her second ace and Isenbarger followed with another block. The Tops ended the frame with an exclamation point serving up their fifth ace and taking the set.
SET 2
Matthews snatched up the first pair of points with a kill and a block. The Tops added two more before FIU could answer, in a 4-1 run. Bauer dumped one over the net for her third kill of the match to giving the Tops a 7-4 advantage. To no surprise, Western Kentucky was first to break ten points after Isenbarger fired one cross-court. Briggs sent one over the Panther frontline to give the Tops a 17-11 edge. The Tops later notched three more points to take a 20-11 lead. FIU answered with a 4-1 run to cut the lead to seven. A long serve gave the Tops set point, FIU deflected one into the crowd and the Tops switched benches to start the third frame.
SET 3
FIU garnered the first point of set three, but WKU responded quickly with a Matthews kill. Bauer dropped one just inside the line to knot it up at three all. FIU took a 7-5 lead after a kill, but Isenbarger answered with a kill of her own. The Panthers were first to break ten forcing the Hilltoppers to take their first timeout of the match. FIU continued their good fortunes, to take a 13-8 lead. The Tops cut the deficit to one, forcing FIU to call to regroup, down 13-12. WKU took their first lead of the game after Isenbarger stuffed down her seventh and final block of the match leading 17-16. WKU continued after FIU called time to take a 22-16 lead, as part of a 7-0 run. FIU served one into the net giving WKU match point, 24-18, as Matthews fired a strike just inside the back line to complete the three-set sweep of FIU.
NEXT UP
Turning onto Sunday, the Tops are back on The Hill Oct 2 for a noon CT first serve against the 49ers of Charlotte for their fourth C-USA match up on the season.
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 16th time this season Coach Hudson has used this combination
- In the series, WKU continued the win streak bringing the total to 19 straight and have the all-time series edge 44-8 over the FIU Panthers.
- Senior Paige Briggs tallied 10 kills on a .429 hitting percentage. The senior outside hitter marked her 100th career service ace, collecting one on the evening.
- Katie Isenbarger added five kills for a team high .625 clip on eight attempts.
- Callie Bauer led the reception for the Tops with seven followed by libero Abby Schaefer and Paige Briggs with six each.
- WKU managed seven aces on the night with Katie Howard and Callie Bauer leading the category with two apiece.
- The Hilltoppers now stand at 15-2 and undefeated in C-USA play (3-0).
- Head coach Travis Hudson is now 708-220 across his career on the Hill.
- WKU Volleyball is now up to an all-time program record of 986-494 with Friday evening'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.
