WKU Volleyball took the University of Kentucky Wildcats to four sets but ultimately fell short, losing 3-1 in a closely contested match. The Wildcats, now 3-0 overall, handed the Hilltoppers (2-1 overall) their first loss of the season.
Freshman outside hitter Alivia Skidmore and senior outside hitter Kaylee Cox led the Hilltoppers with double-digit performances in kills, recording 11 and 10 respectively. On the defensive side, WKU tallied eight total blocks, with sophomore middle hitter Izzy Van De Wiele playing a crucial role in five of them.
How It Happened
Set 1: 16-25
Set 2: 25-19
Set 3: 16-25
Set 4: 16-25
The match began with junior defensive specialist Abby Schaefer scoring the first point for WKU, followed by a quick response from Kentucky. The first set saw back-and-forth scoring until the Wildcats pulled away after the tenth point, taking the set 25-16.
The Hilltoppers rallied in the second set, holding Kentucky to a .214 hitting percentage while hitting .394 themselves. Cox led the charge, going 3-for-5 (.600) at the net, while sophomore outside hitter Gabby Weihe matched her with a .600 hitting percentage, helping WKU secure a 25-19 win.
The third and fourth sets were quieter for the Hilltoppers. They hit .308 in the fourth set and managed only three blocks across both sets as Kentucky regained control, winning both sets 25-16 to seal the match.
Notables
- Kaylee Cox’s 10 kills marked her third straight match with double-digit kills.
- Alivia Skidmore continued her breakout campaign with her second match recording at least 10 kills.
- Izzy Van De Wiele led the team in blocks with five.
- WKU’s record against Kentucky now stands at 4-17 overall and 4-13 on the road.
Quotable
“I feel better after losing that match than I did winning the first two,” said WKU volleyball head coach Travis Hudson. “That was a much better version of us. The games Kentucky won, I don’t feel like we allowed them to get away as much as they just separated from us. We did some really good things, and we just have things we have to get better at.”
Next Up
The Hilltoppers will head to their next tournament in East Lansing, MI, where they will take on Marist on Friday, Sept. 6 at 11 a.m. CT.
