The Hilltopper offense totaled an even 40 kills for the second consecutive match en route to their seventh-straight win and fourth consecutive sweep. WKU held Jax State to a .085 hitting percentage, the lowest mark the Hilltoppers have allowed in 2026. Izzy Van De Wiele was dominant up front alongside Kaira Knox. Van De Wiele totaled eight blocks while Knox finished with six, a new career best.
HOW IT HAPPENED
WKU 3, JAX STATE 0
SET ONE - WKU 25, Jax State 20
The Hilltopper offense came out swinging early. Alivia Skidmore logged a pair of kills, Van De Wiele and Knox stuffed a block, and Kate Rush fired off an ace to jump out to a 8-0 lead. Van De Wiele and Knox combined for another block and Van De Wiele stuffed a solo block for an 11-1 edge, forcing the first Gamecock timeout. Two quick ones pulled Jax State within 10 at 12-4 before Faith Young's first kill added to the WKU lead. The Gamecocks pulled within five, aided by a 4-0 run. Skidmore's fourth kill of the frame sent the two into the break, holding a 15-9 lead. The first kill for Rush pushed the WKU lead back to a half dozen at 16-10. Skidmore added an ace and an errant attack forced the final Gamecock timeout, up 19-13. A 3-0 scoring run for Jax State ensued before a bad serve pulled the Hilltoppers over 20, ahead by four. Young sparked a 3-0 WKU run with a kill for a 23-17 advantage. Rush's third kill of the day gave WKU its first set point. On the fourth try, Kennedy Cherry connected with Rush to claim the frame, 25-20.
SET TWO - WKU 25, Jax State 21
Rush got things going with an ace for the first point of the frame. A 3-0 Gamecock run allowed a 4-2 deficit to develop. The Hilltoppers strung together two points, capped by the first ace for Knox, for a 6-5 edge. Knox and Skidmore combined for straight kills, pushing WKU into double figures, still holding a one point lead. Back-to-back blocks followed for a 12-9 advantage. Van De Wiele capped off the 6-0 run for a five point WKU lead. The Gamecocks strung together three in a row before Rush found Knox for a 15-12 lead. Van De Wiele stuffed her sixth block and followed with her second kill to force a Jax State stoppage, now up 17-12. Aubrey Sears pushed her kill total to a pair for a 20-16 advantage. Cherry fired off an ace to add to the lead. WKU took its first timeout as Jax State came within two at 21-19. Up one, Rush added to her kill total with her sixth, up 22-20. An error and a combined block for Knox and Van De Wiele gave WKU its first set point, leading by three. An attack error gave the Hilltoppers a 2-0 match lead, taking the frame 25-21.
SET THREE - WKU 25, Jax State 13
Jax State claimed the first four points of the set before Skidmore's kill got the Tops on the board. Down 5-3, Knox fired off a kill to ignite a 4-0 Hilltopper run. Now even at eight, Young logged a kill and Knox sent over an ace for an 11-8 advantage. Straight kills by Knox and Young gave WKU a 13-9 lead. The seventh kill for Rush sent the two into the media break with WKU up by five. The ninth kill for Skidmore pushed the Hilltopper lead to six. Van De Wiele found room for another kill and a bad set forced a Jax State timeout, holding a 19-12 edge. Camila Adams fired off an ace to push the margin to 10 at 23-13. Young's seventh kill gave WKU match point. Much like Friday, Izzie Delacher assisted in the match-clinching point, this time connecting with Kendall Mellar for a 25-13 win.
NOTABLES
- The Hilltopper offense totaled an even 40 kills for the second consecutive match, operating at a .316 clip. WKU held Jax State to a .085 hitting percentage in the match.
- The .085 opponent hitting clip is the lowest WKU has allowed all season and the lowest since they held Delaware to a -.019 clip on Nov. 8, 2025.
- Alivia Skidmore led the Hilltoppers offensively with nine kills along with two aces and two digs.
- Kate Rush and Faith Young both finished with seven kills apiece.
- Along with her seven kills, Rush totaled 31 assists with four digs and two aces. The setter operated at a .429 hitting clip.
- Izzy Van De Wiele was a defensive force up front on Saturday, totaling eight blocks with two of them logged as solo blocks. The senior added four kills and an assist while managing a match best .667 hitting percentage.
- For Van De Wiele, Saturday marked the most blocks in a match since she logged eight against Delaware on Nov. 7, 2025.
- Kaira Knox managed a balanced effort, finishing with six kills and six blocks. The sophomore added seven digs, two aces, and an assist in the effort.
- For Knox, her six blocks are a new career best, beating out her previous best of five set against Drake on Aug. 30, 2025.
- The back-line was managed by Kennedy Cherry who notched 11 digs, a season best. The native of Noblesville, Ind. added four assists and an ace.
- The Hilltoppers are now 9-0 all-time against the Gamecocks, winning 27 sets and surrendering zero.
- Saturday marked the eighth 3-0 win of 2026 for the Hilltoppers. Four of the eight have come in league play, winning in three straight in each of the last four matches.
QUOTABLE
"I thought Jax State really raised their level today. We had to maintain a high level on our side to secure the win. Proud of our group" – head coach Travis Hudson on the three-set win.
NEXT UP
The Hilltoppers return home to host Middle Tennessee starting Friday, Oct. 16 for Education Day. First serve from E.A. Diddle Arena is set for 11 a.m. CT and will be streaming on ESPN+.
2026 CONFERENCE USA CHAMPIONSHIP
The 2026 CUSA Volleyball Tournament is coming to Bowling Green, Ky. Action from E.A. Diddle Arena runs Friday-Sunday, Nov. 20-22. Tickets will go on sale starting October 15.
FOLLOW THE TOPS
For complete information on WKU Volleyball, follow the team on X @WKUVolleyball and head coach Travis Hudson @TravisHudsonWKU. The team is also on Instagram and Facebook.
