BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – With conference matches just around the corner, WKU Volleyball will host Bradley, Indiana, and Austin Peay for the Alyssa Cavanaugh Classic this weekend, Sept. 19-20.
AT THE GAME
- WKU Match Tickets
- 9/19 vs. Bradley (12:30 p.m. CT)
- Education Day & Kendall Meller Trading Card Giveaway
- 9/19 vs. Indiana (7 p.m. CT)
- Alyssa Cavanaugh Match & Alyssa Cavanaugh Trading Card Giveaway
- 9/20 vs. Austin Peay (1:30 p.m. CT)
- Tayler Baron Trading Card Giveaway
MATCH INFO
- Location: E.A. Diddle Arena
- Watch: Bradley: ESPN+ | Indiana: ESPN+
- Listen: The Varsity Network
- Parking: Parking in PS1 or PS2 will be free.
ABOUT THE TOPS
- WKU is coming off a weekend that saw them go a perfect 3-0, needing only nine sets to win all three matches.
- The Hilltoppers more than doubled their opponents' offensive production, hitting a .309 clip compared to their opponents' .127.
- Alivia Skidmore led the offensive charge with 32 kills across nine sets, averaging 3.56 kills per set and a hitting percentage of .348 [32-9-66]. Skidmore was also named the Buccaneer Classic Tournament MVP.
- Callie Bauer earned her first CUSA Setter of the Week honors after producing 105 assists, 10 kills, five blocks, and two service aces.
- Joining her in CUSA weekly awards was Karia Knox who was named Freshman of the Week for the second time this season. Knox averaged 10 kills per match and finished the weekend swinging .333 [30-9-63].
- Last but certainly not least was Faith Young who was named Defensive Player of the Week after a weekend that saw her record 11 blocks. Young also produced 29 kills at a .389 clip and contributed at the service line with two service aces.
- WKU also hosted Vanderbilt on Tuesday, dropping the match, 3-0. The Hilltoppers finished with a .225 hitting percentage, with Alivia Skidmore leading with nine kills.
QUOTABLE
"It's going to be a big match on Friday against Indiana," said Head Coach Travis Hudson. "Indiana's undefeated, may break into the Top 25. We're right there together, both trying to break into the Top 25. We're receiving votes from the 25 to 30 range and Indiana's been really impressive. Not only are they undefeated, but they've really been challenged up until now. It'll take a huge effort. But those are the fun ones for me. Those are the ones that don't hurt you. If you lose them, it doesn't hurt you, you move on. If they win, they're a big feather in your cap. It's great to have them here but it'll be a huge challenge on Friday night."
Travis Hudson Press Conference
SERIES INFORMATION
- Bradley
- The Hilltoppers are 2-4 all-time against Bradley. WKU's last win over Bradley was on August 26, 2022, in a 3-0 sweep.
- Indiana
- WKU leads the all-time series against Indiana, 3-2. The Hilltoppers are on a three-match win streak against the Hoosiers with a 3-1 win on Sept. 17, 2022.
- Austin Peay
- WKU has been playing the Governors since 1982 and has played a total of 48 matches. The Hilltoppers lead, 36-12, and are on a five-match win streak since 2019. All five of those matches have been 3-0 sweeps.
SCOUTING
- Bradley (5-4 overall)
- Bradley is currently 5-4 overall with wins over Central Michigan, Kansas City, and College of Charleston.
- Offensively, the Braves are led by Gracie Furlong with 100 kills through 35 sets played. At the service line, Irene Mostardini paces Bradley with 19 service aces.
- At the net, Dakota Elliott leads with 22 total blocks while Mostardini anchors the back row with 172 digs.
- Bradley finished the 2024 season ranked 227th in RPI.
- Indiana (8-0 overall)
- The Hoosiers started their season a perfect 8-0, being pushed past three sets only twice against Loyola-Chicago and Miami (FL). Candela Alonso-Corcelles leads IU's offense with 106 kills and possesses a .366 hitting percentage. Teodora Kričković leads the service line with 12 service aces.
- Defensively, five different Hoosiers have 20 or more blocks: Madi Sell, Avry Tatum, Victoria Gray, Jaidyn Jager, and Ella Boersema.
- On the back row, Audrey Jackson leads with 78 digs.
- In 2024, Indiana finished the season ranked 86th in RPI.
- Austin Peay (1-8 overall)
- The Governors are currently 1-8 overall with a win over Murray State in five sets.
- Taly Cloyd leads with 86 kills through 37 sets played and has a .179 hitting percentage. Dani Kopacz is second with 63 kills and a .087 hitting percentage.
- On defense, Nya Browne paces the Governors with 30 total blocks with Dayan Malave Marrero in second with 25. Anchoring the back row is Reagan Anderson with 151 digs.
- Austin Peay finished the 2024 season ranked 313th in RPI.
