BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- With WKU Volleyball alumni in the stands, the Hilltoppers (21-5 overall, 11-1 CUSA) defeated the University of Delaware in Bowling Green for the first time in program history.
Opposite hitter Kaira Knox exploded offensively on Friday, finishing the night with 20 kills against the Blue Hens (7-15 overall, 4-9 CUSA) while middle hitter Izzy Van De Wiele recorded a season-high eight blocks at the net.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: 25-21
The two teams traded points early in the first set and tied the score a total of nine times before the Hilltoppers went on a 4-0 run at the 8-9 mark to expand their lead to 12-9 and never surrendered for the rest of the set. Knox collected her first kills of the night with a .556 hitting percentage, finishing with six kills. Van De Wiele also posted the first solo block of the night and finished the first frame with two blocks. She also posted nine kills with a .333 hitting clip. A collection of Hilltoppers helped on the back row, collecting a total of 12 digs led by libero Tayler Baron with three.
Set 2: 25-22
Set Two was highlighted by the Tops' best single set hitting percentage of the night, posting a .421 with 20 kills on 38 attacks. Knox once again led the way with six kills, but outside hitter Alivia Skidmore was right behind her with five kills of her own. Van De Wiele posted another four while fellow middle hitter Faith Young registered three of her own. Defensive specialist Abby Schaefer anchored the back row in the second frame, recording a total of four digs. Four different Hilltoppers recorded at least one block, with Knox and Young leading with two and Van De Wiele and outside hitter Sonja Laaksonen grabbing one each.
Set 3: 25-17
The third frame of the night was the only loss of the night for WKU, with the Blue Hens grabbing two more service aces and three more team blocks than the Hilltoppers. Knox and Van De Wiele posted five and four kills respectively, but two Blue Hens posted four blocks each to contribute to Delaware's total. Schaefer contributed another five digs while Skidmore and Van De Wiele posted solo blocks. The Hilltoppers also posted their lowest hitting percentage of the night, at .156.
Set 4: 25-13
WKU came out swinging in the final set of the night, posting a perfect sideout percentage and collecting 15 kills to Delaware's four. In addition, the Tops' floor defense recorded 21 digs, the most on the night, with Baron and Schaefer splitting the lead with six each. WKU also came alive at the service line, with Young and setter Callie Bauer grabbing a service ace. Van De Wiele registered her third solo block of the night and led at the net with a total of three blocks. Bauer and Knox also picked up blocks to bring WKU's total to three in the final set.
NOTABLES
- Kaira Knox posted her second 20-kill match of the season on Friday.
- WKU's 100% sideout percentage in set four is the best since they posted 93% against Tennessee on Sept. 10, 2024.
- WKU improves to 4-2 on the season when the opponent records more blocks.
- 158 attacks for the Hilltoppers are tied for second most this season.
- Izzy Van De Wiele's eight blocks is a season high for the junior.
- Abby Schaefer posted a season-high 17 digs.
- The Hilltoppers improve to 4-1 against Delaware and are now 1-0 when playing at E.A. Diddle Arena.
UP NEXT
WKU will honor its seniors on Saturday, Callie Bauer, Abby Schaefer, and Callahan Wiegandt ahead of the final match against the Blue Hens. First serve is set for 12 p.m. CT. At 2:30 p.m. CT, WKU Athletics will host a ceremony outside entrance two to unveil Head Coach Travis Hudson's statue.
