Both matches will be available to watch on ESPN+ with John Liddle on the call Friday and Doug Branch on for Saturday. 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.
As both opponents in the Sun Belt and Conference USA, WKU leads the all-time series 15-7, as the Hilltoppers swept the Bulldogs last season inside Diddle Arena, holding them to a mere total of 39 points after not meeting since 2019.
The program is leading CUSA in eight categories including hitting percentage (.298), total kills (1,117), and assists per set (13.02). Paige Briggs takes charge individually with leading the league in total points (373.5), kills/set (3.95), and aces/set (0.53). The outside hitter nationally ranks 25th and 15th, respectively in points and aces/set. Setter Callie Bauer stays steady second in the conference with assists/set (10.49) and total assists (860).
Back to a standard Friday-Saturday weekend conference series, WKU held on to Sam Houston at home, playing six sets in a sweep. Fifth-year Paige Briggs went back-to-back with double-digit kills in both matches and breaking the school record in aces in a match Friday evening. Briggs' 10 aces from the service line not only took care of the WKU program record, but leads the nation in most aces in a three-set, but also in any match in the NCAA this season.
Louisiana Tech is sitting with one conference win, splitting the series with Sam Houston as they both fight for a spot in the conference tournament. The Bulldogs are sitting at a 6-16 overall record, the program is averaging 10.3 kills a set and an even 2.0 blocks a frame.
FRIDAY
WKU vs LA Tech - 6 p.m. CT
Livestats | ESPN+
Thomas Assembly Center
SATURDAY
WKU vs LA Tech - 1 p.m. CT
Livestats | ESPN+
Thomas Assembly 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.
- Back in the AVCA top 25 poll, WKU ranks No. 23 as voted by the coaches this week. WKU has been in the poll all season, opening the 2023 campaign at No. 24, climbing as high as No. 22, and still received votes through the season.
- The Tops are a perfect 10-0 in CUSA action and has potential to clinch the regular season outright next weekend against FIU.
- 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. Briggs also broke the record of most aces in a single match against Sam Houston on Oct. 20. Her 10 from the service line leads the nation.
- 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 20-4 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 24 in the latest NCAA RPI report.
- A strong offense to head coach Travis Hudson's Hilltoppers, the Tops lead Conference USA in hitting percentage (.298) and kills/set (13.62).
- This is the first time WKU is playing on LA Tech's home court since 2018.
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.
