Against Marquette, Skidmore recorded 16 kills while Van De Wiele finished with four blocks.
#25 DAYTON: 3-0
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: 25-16
Bolstered by a .516 [18-2-31] hitting percentage and a 6-0 run consisting of three kills, two blocks, and a Dayton (3-2 overall) service error, the Hilltoppers found themselves up by as many as seven and never surrendered the lead. Meller was a perfect 7-for-7 on attacks while sophomore middle hitter Faith Young led at the net with three blocks. In addition, the Hilltoppers hardly allowed Dayton to gain any momentum as they converted on sideouts 70% of the time.
Set 2: 25-23
Dayton began to push back in the second set, improving from a .133 [10-6-30] hitting percentage to .237 [16-7-38] but the Hilltoppers weren't fazed, taking the lead at 3-2 and cruising the rest of the way. Skidmore led the way with five kills while Meller was just behind her with four. Senior libero Abby Schaefer held down the back row with six digs while Rush was credited with two blocks, one of which was solo.
Set 3: 25-22
The lead changed hands a total of eight times in the final frame before WKU closed out the match with a 5-1 run. That run consisted of two kills from Young, a solo stuff from Meller, a kill from Rush and a Flyer attack error. Collecting a total of 15 kills, Skidmore led the way with four and finished the match with a .619 [14-1-21] hitting percentage. Both junior middle hitter Van De Wiele and freshman outside hitter Kaira Knox tacked on two blocks to bring the team total to 10.
MARQUETTE: 0-3
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1: 22-25
The Hilltoppers racked up a total of 15 kills in the first set with Skidmore leading the way with seven kills. At the net, Van De Wiele led with two blocks. Schaefer also led the back row with six digs.
Set 2: 18-25
WKU went from a .171 [15-8-41] to a .237 [16-7-38] hitting percentage in the second set. Skidmore once again led the charge against the Golden Eagles (3-1 overall) with five kills in the frame with Meller following close behind with four. Van De Wiele also collected her second solo block of the match.
Set 3: 19-25
The Tops put up a fight in set three, trading points with Marquette, but were unable to come away with the win. Skidmore led with four kills while Van De Wiele and Knox had three each. Knox and Van De Wiele also recorded the lone block in the frame.
NOTABLES
- WKU's win over #25 Dayton is the first ranked win since the 3-1 win over #12 Marquette on Aug. 25, 2023.
- The Tops took the all-time series lead against the Flyers, 6-5. The last win over Dayton was a 3-1 victory on Sept. 15, 2017.
- Friday's sweep was the first sweep against Dayton since Oct. 5, 1984.
- .516 is the second-highest single-set hitting percentage of the season.
- Kate Rush's four blocks are the most by a setter since Callie Bauer's four against Eastern Illinois on Sept. 20, 2024.
UP NEXT
The Hilltoppers will close out their trip to Wisconsin with a match against Buffalo. First serve is set for noon CT and will be streamed on YouTube.
