BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Five student athletes from WKU Volleyball have been named Preseason All-Conference USA, the league office announced on Thursday afternoon.
Tayler Baron, Kaira Knox, Alivia Skidmore, Izzy Van De Wiele, and Faith Young were all named to the league's preseason all-conference team. Skidmore was also tabbed as the CUSA Preseason Player of the Year.
The Hilltoppers were picked to finish first in the league, voted on by the conference coaches, garnering nine of 10 possible first place votes.
Skidmore is the fourth Hilltopper in the last five years to earn the distinction of preseason player of the year. Last season, Skidmore competed in all 33 matches and started in 30, totaling 108 sets. The outside hitter led WKU with 369 kills for an average of 3.42 per set and hit at a .294 clip. Skidmore finished sixth in CUSA in kills, seventh in points, and 10th in hitting percentage. She logged a career high 25 kills in the 2025 Conference USA Championship match. Skidmore picked up numerous postseason accolades following her sophomore campaign. She was named All-CUSA First Team, a member of the CUSA All-Tournament Team, and earned AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention.
Tayler Baron came to WKU as a transfer from Austin Peay in 2025 and made an immediate impact on the defensive line. Baron appeared in 33 matches and 107 total sets. She logged a team best 410 digs, for an average of 3.83 per set and finished fourth in CUSA in both total digs and digs/set. In her sophomore campaign she finished with a .966 reception average and led the team with 33 total service aces. Baron was named All-CUSA Second Team following the 2025 campaign.
Kaira Knox is coming off a decorated freshman season. Knox finished third on the team with 293 kills for an average of 3.45 per set and posted a .327 hitting percentage, the third best on the team. She logged 132 digs, 55 total blocks, 13 assists, and 12 service aces. Knox garnered 22 kills in a three-set sweep over Indiana on Sept. 19, marking the most by a WKU Freshman since 2002. She was in the top 10 in kills per set in CUSA for the entirety of the 2025 season and finished fourth in CUSA in kills per set and points. Her freshman season put the league on notice, and Knox was named CUSA Freshman of the Year, All-CUSA First Team, CUSA All-Freshman Team, and was an AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention.
Van De Wiele was a defensive force for the Hilltoppers and across the league in 2025. She logged a team best 108 blocks with 20 solo blocks and 88 block assists for an average of 1.23 per set The middle hitter tallied 221 kills for an average of 2.51 per set for a hitting clip of .349 and finished second in CUSA in blocks per set. Van De Wiele was named the league's top defensive player in 2025, and earned All-CUSA First Team honors.
Young enters her junior campaign off a successful 2025 season. She logged 301 kills for an average of 2.79 per set and posted a .393 hitting clip, the second-best mark in CUSA. The middle hitter recorded 77 total blocks with 13 solo blocks and 64 block assists. Young was named All-CUSA First Team and to the CUSA All-Tournament Team.
The Hilltoppers officially open the 2026 campaign on Friday, Aug. 28 with a double header against SEMO and Preseason No. 25 Oregon in Cape Girardeau, Mo.
2026 Preseason All-Conference Team
Jillian Huckabey - FIU
Olivia Burrage - Kennesaw State
Carly O'Brien - Liberty
Jenna Otts - Liberty
Paige Overcash - Liberty
Hannah Gardner - Missouri State
Maggie Lightheart - New Mexico State
Tayler Baron - WKU
Kaira Knox - WKU
Alivia Skidmore - WKU
Izzy Van De Wiele - WKU
Faith Young - WKU
Preseason Poll
1. WKU (9) - 81 points
2. Liberty (1) - 67 points
3. NM State - 57 points
Kennesaw State - 57 points
5. FIU - 52 points
6. Missouri State - 43 points
7. Delaware - 40 points
8. Middle Tennessee - 18 points
Jacksonville State - 18 points
10. Sam Houston - 17 points
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets and single game tickets for the 2026 Hilltopper Volleyball Season can be purchased HERE.
Follow The Tops: For complete information on WKU Volleyball, follow the team on Twitter at @WKUVolleyballand head coach Travis Hudson at @TravisHudsonWKU. The team is also on Instagram and Facebook.
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