Both matches will be streamable on ESPN+ with Adam Young on play-by-play. As is the case for every Hilltopper match this season, all the action will also be available on audio with Reily Chestnut on the Varsity Network App.
The Hilltoppers and Aggies have not met since 2004, after WKU was swept by New Mexico State in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament Final in New Orleans. The Hilltoppers earned its first NCAA Tournament berth with a 3-2 victory over the Sun Belt powerhouse Aggies in 2002. The series stands at 3-6 in favor of NMSU.
The program is leading CUSA in offense, posting a .296 hitting clip as a team, as the Hilltoppers are eighth in the nation. The Tops lead the league with 13.53 kills a set, led by Paige Briggs at 4.06, and assists at 12.70 led by Callie Bauer who averages 10.34 assists a game.
Playing four matches in six days, the Tops won four straight to remain undefeated in CUSA action. Paige Briggs and Kaylee Cox combined as the two starting outside hitters for the Red and White to go 31 kills without a single error in WKU's opening series sweep against Liberty. After a gritty five-setter to close out competition in Lynchburg, the Tops headed home inside Diddle Arena to sweep Jax State Saturday and Sunday.
Second in the league, the Aggies are 13-6 with a 6-2 mark in CUSA play after splitting series with UTEP and Liberty. NM State is hitting .230 offensively, while also leading CUSA in opposing hitting percentage (.175) on the other side of the net. Outside hitter Starr Williams picked up a league Offensive Player of the Week nod, while the Aggies' libero, Darian Markham, has been named the Defensive Player of the Week twice this season totaling 18 double-digit digs matches including a 30-dig outing against Liberty.
FRIDAY
WKU vs NM State - 7 p.m. CT
Livestats | ESPN+
Pan American Center
SATURDAY
WKU vs NM State - 1 p.m. CT
Livestats | ESPN+
Pan American Center
TOP STORYLINES
- WKU has been predicted to win the conference title in the Conference USA Preseason Poll voted by the league's coaches. Callie Bauer, Paige Briggs, Kaylee Cox, and Kenadee Coyle, were all selected to the Preseason All-Conference Team. Briggs was tabbed Preseason Player of the Year. After a third place finish in 2022, UTEP was predicted to finish second.
- The Tops are a perfect 6-0 in CUSA action after two-match series sweeps over UTEP, Liberty, and Jax State.
- Paige Briggs broke the program record of kills in a single match, with her 35-kill outing against Western Michigan. The fifth-year outside hitter is second the nation of most kills in a single four-set match this season.
- WKU Volleyball is more accessible than ever with radio broadcasts for every match. The Tops are 1 of just 10 Division I Volleyball programs that currently have live radio for home and away matches.
- Picking up a 16-4 record so far on the year, the Hilltoppers picked up their first win in 2023 with a marquee 3-1 victory over No. 12 Marquette in Dayton, Ohio. It was the first Top-15 win for the Red and White since 2015. WKU is standing at 22 in the latest NCAA RPI report.
- A strong offense to head coach Travis Hudson's Hilltoppers, the Tops lead Conference USA in hitting percentage (.296) and kills/set (13.53).
- This is the first time the Hilltoppers will play inside Liberty Arena in Lynchburg, Va. The Flames are hosting the 2023 CUSA Tournament in November.
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.
