Hilltoppers Dominate Bears in Three Set Sweep

Saturday, October 4

Springfield, MO

1 p.m. CT

Western Kentucky University

13-4,4-0CUSA

Missouri State

5-10,0-4CUSA

Western Ky.

Missouri St.

WKU Hilltoppers | Photo by Steve Roberts

Photo by: Steve Roberts/WKU Athletics

10/4/2025 4:52:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- WKU Volleyball rolled to its fourth-straight Conference USA win in dominating fashion on Saturday. The Hilltoppers' (13-4 overall, 4-0 CUSA) .489 hitting percentage featured a season-low five hitting errors and totaled 51 kills on the day.

Sophomore outside hitter Alivia Skidmore finished in double-digit with 16 kills for the second-straight match while junior middle hitter Izzy Van De Wiele recorded four blocks and 11 kills.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: 25-20
Neither team led by more than three points until the score reached 20-19 in WKU's favor. The Hilltoppers then went on a 5-1 run to close out the first set. Skidmore finished with six kills, and Van De Wiele added four, also leading at the net with two blocks. Set one featured the lowest hitting percentage of the match at .406, while the Bears hit .333 with 15 kills. In addition to dominating on offense, WKU's net defense held strong, collecting three blocks to Missouri State's one.

Set 2: 25-13
The Hilltoppers came alive in the second set, hitting a staggering .581 — the highest single-set percentage so far this season. Along the way, WKU recorded 19 kills, the most across the three sets. Skidmore continued her offensive dominance with six more kills, while Van De Wiele and freshman pin hitter Sonja Laaksonen each added four. Sophomore outside hitter Faith Young and Laaksonen tied with two blocks apiece as WKU posted three total to Missouri State's one. To top it off, Skidmore sealed the set with a service ace.

Set 3: 25-14
There was no set more dominant for WKU than the final as the Hilltoppers posted a 92% sideout percentage, preventing Missouri State from gathering any momentum. The Bears were able to tie the set at 3-3, but four straight points from the Hilltoppers expanded the lead to 7-3, and Missouri State was never able to recover. WKU's dominance is credited to a balanced offense with four different Hilltoppers gathering at least three kills.

NOTABLES

WKU's .581 hitting percentage in the second set is the highest so far this season.
The Tops' 51 total kills ties for third-most on the season.
Two Hilltoppers finished in double-digit kills. Alivia Skidmore finished with 16 kills while Izzy Van De Wiele finished with 11.
.489 is the highest single-match hitting percentage this season.
Tayler Baron continues to be an anchoring force for the Hilltoppers, gathering 15 digs.