WKU Volleyball closed out its midweek series with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Middle Tennessee on Wednesday night. The Hilltoppers (13-6 overall, 6-0 C-USA) dominated the match with a .386 hitting percentage, led by senior outside hitter Kaylee Cox. On the defensive end, sophomore middle hitter Izzy Van De Wiele made a big impact with five blocks.
With this victory, WKU extended its winning streak against the Blue Raiders (6-12 overall, 2-4 C-USA) to 25 straight matches, a streak that dates back to 2011. Redshirt junior setter Callie Bauer also had a standout performance, earning her second career triple-double.
How It Happened
Set 1: 25-16
WKU opened the match strong, with Bauer contributing four kills and a .500 hitting percentage [4-1-7]. Cox also added four kills, while both Bauer and freshman middle hitter Faith Young tallied two blocks each. The Hilltoppers finished the set with three team blocks, and senior pin hitter Katie Howard notched a service ace.
Set 2: 25-14
The second set saw Young and Cox lead the way, with Young adding three kills and Cox another four. WKU improved its hitting percentage from .367 in the first set to .379 [15-4-29] in the second. Defensively, Coyle and Van De Wiele each added a block, bringing the team’s total to four through two sets.
Set 3: 15-25
Middle Tennessee fought back in the third set, taking the win. WKU’s hitting percentage dropped to .256 [15-5-39], but Cox and Bauer still recorded four kills each, bringing their match totals to 11 and nine, respectively. The Hilltoppers added two more team blocks, with Van De Wiele, Cox, and Coyle contributing.
Set 4: 25-16
Despite being pushed to a fourth set for the first time in eight matches, WKU bounced back quickly, posting a scorching .586 hitting percentage [19-2-29]. Cox led with six kills, and four different Hilltoppers recorded a block each, sealing the victory.
Notables
- Kenadee Coyle set a WKU single-match hitting percentage record, finishing a perfect 1.000 [10-0-10].
- Callie Bauer recorded her second career triple-double, tallying 10 kills, 39 assists, and 15 digs.
- WKU’s 25-match winning streak against Middle Tennessee dates back to October 4, 2011.
Next Up
WKU will hit the road to face Florida International University in Miami. First serve is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m.
