BOWLING GREEN, KY --WKU Volleyball was all about the underclassmen on Friday with freshman pin hitter Alivia Skidmore leading the charge offensively with 11 kills and sophomore middle hitter Izzy Van De Wiele leading at the net with seven blocks on the night.
With the win, the Hilltoppers (20-6 overall, 13-0 CUSA) earned their 20th win of the season and earn their 25th straight season with at least 20 wins, the longest active win streak of any Division I institution.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: 25-23
Both Skidmore and senior outside hitter Kaylee Cox set the pace for the Hilltoppers with four kills each while Van De Wiele led in blocks with three including two solos. WKU led in kills with 15 to NMSU's 11 but had the lower hitting percentage at .175 [15-8-40] to the Aggies' .206 [11-4-34]. Junior libero Abby Schaefer anchored the back row with six digs while redshirt junior Callie Bauer reached double-digit assists with 13.
Set 2: 25-22
It was a defensive clinic put on by the Hilltoppers in set two with five total team blocks led by Van De Wiele with three blocks that included two solo stops. Both Cox and Van De Wiele contributed two kills apiece, adding to WKU's 22 total kills through both sets. The Tops' performance at the net also stifled the Aggies' hitting percentage, going from .206 in set one [11-4-34] to .053 [13-11-38] in the second set.
Set 3: 25-21
The Hilltoppers offense exploded in the final set with Skidmore going off for six kills and logging a solo block. Both Van De Wiele and senior rightside hitter Kenadee Coyle contributed four kills each. WKU's hitting percentage improved drastically with 18 kills, three errors, and 40 attempts to finish the set at .375. The Aggies out blocked the Hilltoppers 3-2, but service aces and kills were the difference maker.
NOTABLES
- NMSU and WKU tied with 10 blocks each
- Faith Young earned the most service aces so far in her young career with three
- Abby Schaefer and Kaylee Cox finished in double-digits with digs at 17 and 11, respectively
- Izzy Van De Wiele posted a career high in solo blocks with four
NEXT UP
The Hilltoppers continue their series against New Mexico State with a match on Saturday, Nov. 2. First serve is set for noon.
Follow the Hilltoppers on X (@WKUVolleyball) and Instagram (@wku_volleyball) as the team continues its CUSA campaign.
