BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Winners of their last 11, WKU Volleyball continues CUSA play at FIU starting Friday, Oct. 30. First serve from the Ocean Bank Convocation Center is set for 5 p.m. CT.
MATCH INFO
- WKU at FIU | Friday, Oct. 30 | 5 PM CT
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- WKU at FIU | Saturday, Oct. 31 | 11 AM CT
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- Notes: WKU | FIU
ABOUT THE TOPS
- The Hilltoppers enter Friday on an 11-match winning streak, sitting at 16-6, atop the CUSA standings with a 10-0 mark.
- The Hilltoppers hosted Kennesaw State this past weekend, taking both matches in 3-1 decisions.
- Friday, the WKU defense proved dominant as they held the Owls to a .114 match hitting percentage. Kaira Knox headlined action, logging 15 kills and a new career high 16 digs.
- After dropping the first frame Saturday, the Hilltoppers took the last three, winning the third set in dominant fashion, holding Kennesaw State to a mere nine points in the frame, the first time WKU has achieved the feat in two years.
- The Hilltopper offense has produced 1,042 kills, 957 assists, and 173 service aces along while operating at a .297 hitting clip. Knox leads the team with 261 kills for an average of 3.26/set.
- Defensively, the Hilltoppers have totaled 997 digs and 161 total blocks. Tayler Baron is the team leader in digs with 333 (4.16/set). Five Hilltoppers have stuffed 30+ blocks on the year, led by Faith Young, who has totaled 61.
- Young continues to lead the league in hitting with a .430 mark. This past weekend, defense was the storyline for the native of Harrison, Ohio, who set a new career high in blocks, stuffing eight in the 3-1 decision on Saturday.
- The middle hitter's .430 mark stands at No. 12 in NCAA DI this season.
- The Hilltoppers rank in the top 10 in the nation in aces/set (5th), hitting percentage (5th), and total aces (7th).
- Kate Rush's 43 total service aces are the 12th most in the nation so far this season.
- The Hilltoppers are No. 23 in the Oct. 25 NCAA DI RPI rankings, still holding first among non-power programs.
- For the first time since the Aug. 31 poll, WKU received votes in the AVCA-Taraflex DI Rankings.
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
- FIU enters the weekend at 14-9 and 5-5 in CUSA play, on a four-match winning streak, taking two over Jax State, winning 3-0 Friday and 3-1 Saturday.
- The Panthers have connected on 1,095 kills on 2,834 total attempts for a .218 hitting percentage. The team has totaled 1017 assists and fired off 172 aces.
- On the defensive side of the net, the team has notched 1,069 digs and stuffed a total of 153 blocks.
- FIU's 172 total aces rank second in CUSA and is No. 9 in all NCAA DI. Ivona Lazovic is the team leader in aces with 33. Five Panthers have managed 20+ on the year.
SERIES HISTORY
- Friday marks the 57th meeting between the Hilltoppers and Panthers.
- WKU holds the all-time series lead 58-8, winners of the last 29.
- The two last played in the 2025 CUSA Championship match with WKU winning in a five-set thriller to claim the NCAA auto bid.
- Three of the past four meetings have gone to five sets. This weekend marks the first regular season meeting since the 2024 season.
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 are on sale now and can be purchased HERE.
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.
