The Hilltoppers (15-4 overall, 6-0 CUSA) had a season-low three hitting errors and racked up 47 total kills for a .518 hitting percentage against the Bulldogs (7-13 overall, 0-6 CUSA) who managed to tie the score only once.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: 25-12
Senior setter Callie Bauer set the tone for the match with a service ace for the very first point. WKU's offense continued its dominance, hitting .500 [12-0-24] and collecting 12 kills. Freshman outside hitter Sonja Laaksonen led the Hilltoppers with four kills on a .667 hitting clip. LA Tech could not get any offense going thanks to two team blocks and 10 digs. Responsible for those blocks was junior middle hitter Izzy Van De Wiele with two, and freshman setter Kate Rush and junior outsider hitter Kendall Meller with one each.
Set 2: 25-11
Matching their set two score from yesterday, WKU improved their offensive production going from .500 to .516 and recording a match-high 19 kills. Three different Hilltoppers recorded a set-high four kills, Laaksonen, Meller, and sophomore middle hitter Faith Young. The Tops' three hitting errors were all in the third set, but thanks to a perfect sideout percentage, WKU was able to score off every Bulldog serve and not allow their opponent to produce any momentum. Both Meller and Van De Wiele added another two blocks each while Young and Laaksonen grabbed one each. Those blocks, combined with five hitting errors and 14 digs, held LA Tech to a .000 hitting percentage and only five kills.
Set 3: 25-19
The final set saw sophomore outside hitter Alivia Skidmore lead the way with four kills while Bauer collected three during her time on the front row. With Bauer and Skidmore's help, WKU posted a match-best .533 hitting percentage with a total of 16 kills. Laaksonen, Skidmore, Van De Wiele, and Young all contributed one block each for a total of two team blocks. At the service line, senior defensive specialist Abby Schaefer was responsible for WKU's sole service ace.
NOTABLES
- WKU's 98 regular season conference match win streak is now tied for fourth all-time in NCAA Division I Volleyball.
- The Tops' .518 hitting percentage is the best this season.
- Both Alivia Skidmore and Sonja Laaksonen recorded double-digit kills (10).
- Izzy Van De Wiele dominated at the net with five blocks.
- No one Hilltopper recorded more than nine digs, with Callie Bauer leading the way with nine.
- The three hitting errors is the lowest of the season and the fewest since at least 2013.
UP NEXT
WKU returns home Friday, Oct. 17, for a two-match series against Sam Houston. First serve on Friday is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.
