BOWLING GREEN, KY. --WKU Volleyball closed out its midweek series against Middle Tennesse with a hard fought, 3-1 win on Wednesday. The Hilltoppers (13-6 overall, 6-0 CUSA) finished the match with a .386 hitting percentage led by senior outside hitter Kaylee Cox while defensively, sophomore middle hitter Izzy Van De Wiele led with five blocks on the night.
The win against the Blue Raiders (6-12 overall, 2-4 CUSA) extends WKU's win streak against MTSU to 25-straight matches that dates back to 2011. In addition to the win streak, redshirt junior setter Callie Bauer earned her second triple-double of her career.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: 25-16
Bauer had quite the offensive outing with four kills and a .500 hitting percentage [4-1-7] while Cox provided four kills of her own. At the net, both Bauer and freshman middle hitter Faith Young grabbed two blocks a piece while WKU finished the set with three team blocks. Senior pin hitter Katie Howard had the lone service ace for the Hilltoppers.
Set 2: 25-14
Both Coyle and Young led the Hilltoppers in the second set, with Young coming alive with three kills in the set while Coyle added another four to her total. WKU improved its hitting percentage, going from .367 [14-3-30] in the first set, to .379 in the second [15-4-29]. Through both sets, the Hilltoppers posted a .373 [29-7-59] hitting percentage. At the net, Coyle and Van De Wiele each added a block to bring the team total to four.
Set 3: 25-15
MTSU battled back in set three to take the win. WKU combined for a .256 hitting percentage [15-5-39] while Coyle and Bauer added four kills each to bring their totals to 11 and nine, respectively. The Hilltoppers added two more team blocks thanks to two blocks from Van De Wiele, and one from both Cox and Coyle.
Set 4: 25-16
For the first time in eight matches, the Hilltoppers found themselves in a fourth set but wasted no time as the offense exploded for a blistering .586 [19-2-29] hitting percentage. Cox led the way with six kills while four different Hilltoppers recorded one block a piece.
NOTABLES
- Last night's match against MTSU featured a record-breaking performance from Kenadee Coyle, setting the single-match hitting percentage record at a perfect 1.000 [10-0-10]
- Callie Bauer recorded her second triple-double of her career with 10 kills, 39 assists, and 15 digs
- The Hilltoppers have not lost a match against Middle Tennessee since October 4, 2011
NEXT UP
WKU will travel to Miami, Fla. to take on Florida International University. First serve is set for Saturday at 1 p.m.
