WKU Bounces Back Against UTEP on Saturday

Saturday, October 25

Bowling Green, Ky.

12 p.m. CT

Western Kentucky University

18-5,9-1CUSA

University of Texas at El Paso

19-3,9-1CUSA

UTEP

Western Ky.

Outside hitter Faith Young (22), Defensive specialist Tayler Baron (2), Outside hitter Sonja Laalsonen (16) | Photo by Savannah Philpot

Photo by: Savannah Philpot/WKU Athletics

10/25/2025 6:08:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- WKU Volleyball evened the score on Saturday as an almost-perfectly balanced offense swept UTEP at E.A. Diddle Arena.

Both squads came into the weekend undefeated in conference play, but the Hilltoppers' (18-5 overall, 9-1 CUSA) efficient attack and pressure at the service line proved too much for the Miners (19-3 overall, 9-1 CUSA).

HOW IT HAPPENED

Set 1: 25-22
While UTEP bested WKU in kills and hitting percentage, the Hilltoppers' six service aces in the opening frame made the difference. Middle hitter Faith Young led on multiple fronts, collecting a team-high three service aces and pacing the offense with four kills. Though quiet at the net, libero Tayler Baron contributed four digs and posted a perfect serve reception percentage.
Set 2: 25-16

WKU's offense came alive in the second set as every hitter in the Hilltopper lineup recorded at least two kills, with just one hitting error committed. No WKU hitter swung below .500, and outside hitter Alivia Skidmore was responsible for the set's lone block. The Hilltoppers hit .600 to UTEP's .417. Skidmore led the offense with six kills, while Young, middle hitter Izzy Van De Wiele, and outside hitter Sonja Laaksonen each added three.

Set 3: 25-15
The Hilltoppers delivered an almost flawless offensive performance in the final set, committing no hitting errors and matching their second-set efficiency with another .600 hitting percentage. WKU tallied 15 kills, with the middle hitters combining for six of them. Young led the pair with four kills and continued to shine at the service line, recording both of the team's aces in the frame to bring her total to a match-high three while hitting .800.

NOTABLES

Two pairs of Hilltoppers finished with the same number of kills. Sonja Laaksonen and Kaira Knox both finished with seven while Faith Young and Alivia Skidmore finished with 11.
Tayler Baron posted her fourth straight and 14th overall match with double-digit digs (10).
Alivia Skidmore posted her 25th career match with double-digit kills while Faith Young posted her ninth.
WKU's five total hitting errors are the fewest since posting three against LA Tech on Oct. 11.
WKU's sideout percentage of 94% in Set Two is the highest of the season.