WKU Volleyball outlasts New Mexico State, advances to CUSA semifinals

WKU volleyball advanced to the semifinals of the Conference USA Tournament with a 3-1 win over the New Mexico State Aggies on Friday. The Hilltoppers had a balanced attack, with five players finishing with five or more kills. CUSA Freshman of the Year Kaira Knox led the way with 14 kills. Set One WKU fell in set one 25-15. The Hilltoppers could not find an answer for the NMSU offense early, as the Aggies took a 7-2 lead. WKU looked to get back into the set, but a 5-0 run gave NMSU a 17-8 lead. Junior outside hitter Maggie Lightheart continued to find the holes in the Hilltoppers block. A kill from Lightheart put the set away. Set Two WKU took set two 25-19. The Hilltoppers jumped out to a fast start, taking a 6-1 lead and did not look back. NMSU closed the gap momentarily behind swings from Lightheart 12-11. The arms from WKU came alive, going on a 7-2 run behind Knox and sophomore outside hitter Alicia Skidmore. WKU figured out the block of the Aggies, with a kill from junior middle hitter Izzy Van De Wiele put the set away. Set Three WKU took set three 25-12. Neither team was able to get momentum early tied 7-7. An attack error from NMSU gave the Hilltoppers all of the momentum, going on a 6-0 run 13-7. WKU continued to find gaps in the Aggies defense. With sophomore Libero Camilla Adams behind the service line, the Hilltoppers took a 21-11 lead. The sophomore duo of Skidmore and Faith Young put the set away each with two kills. Set four WKU took set four and the match 25-21. Much like set three, neither team could gain total momentum, trading points back and forth. The Hilltoppers took a slim 18-17 lead late. Sophomore libero Tayler Baron sparked a 5-0 run behind the service line with two service aces to give WKU a 23-17 advantage. The Aggies tried to get back into the match, taking advantage of holes in the Hilltoppers block. However, WKU recovered, and a kill from freshman outside hitter Sonja Laaksonen put the set and match away. The Hilltoppers will take on the winner of Jacksonville State and Kennesaw State Saturday at 1: 30 p. m. on ESPN+.
https://wkuherald.com/89142/sports/sports-volleyball/wku-volleyball-outlasts-new-mexico-state-advances-to-cusa-semifinals/