WKU clinches regular-season title outright with sweep of Liberty

Western Kentucky volleyball’s coaching staff and players gather for a group photo after beating Liberty 3–0 to win the Conference USA regular-season title outright on Saturday at E.A. Diddle Arena.
(WKU ATHLETICS)

It was a milestone day for the Western Kentucky volleyball team, which wrapped up the home portion of the regular season schedule with a 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-16) win over Liberty on Saturday at E.A. Diddle Arena.

On a day honoring seniors Kendall Meller and Izzy Van De Wiele, WKU (20-6 overall, 14-0) claimed the Conference USA championship outright and another 20-win season — making it two straight 3-0 sweeps over Liberty.

“It’s a pretty special day,” WKU coach Travis Hudson said. “Win No. 20, remain undefeated in conference. A beautiful senior day and to win a championship and get to raise that trophy up in Diddle is all things I am really, really proud of. It’s great to be able to look over your shoulder with families out there with their daughter holding that trophy and taking pictures. It’s just a special day in Diddle. Great turnout by the fanbase as well. I’m really appreciative of them making it a special day.”

WKU had already clinched the top seed in the Conference USA Tournament it is hosting later this month and a share of the regular-season title with Friday’s win over Liberty, but the Hilltoppers removed any doubt with another strong performance on Saturday.

Liberty matched WKU point for point in the first set, which featured seven ties and four lead changes. WKU was able to clinch the set on a kill by Meller, one of a season-best nine for the senior.

“The end of my career is coming and I know it,” Meller said. “Travis and I sat down and was like, ‘Go down swinging.’ I’ve stayed ready all season. I had a little bit of an injury in the middle, which was unfortunate, but I’ve come out of that. (I’m) leaving it all out there with nothing to lose.”

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WKU used a 9-1 run to open the second set and continued to pull away from there. The Hilltoppers hit .394 in the set, holding the high-powered Liberty offense to .032 hitting.

“I thought our level stayed high,” Hudson said. “I thought our level was pretty high in the first set as well. They were just there with us. And then when we were able to pull out that first set I thought maybe their level went down a notch and we were able to maintain for the game, which we have done so very few times so it was good to see.”

WKU opened the third set with seven straight points, with the margin ballooning to 16-3 after an ace from Tayler Baron. Liberty got as close as eight points, but was unable to get any closer — with WKU celebrating match point by hoisting the regular season championship trophy.

“Really proud of our team this weekend,” Hudson said. “You hope to be playing your best volleyball at the end of the year and I think this weekend qualifies. We played really well in back-to-back matches. We hit over .300 two days in a row and held them below .200 two days in a row and that’s the second best offensive team in the conference. When we defend at that level, good things are going to happen.

WKU extended its streak of 20-win seasons to 27, the longest active in NCAA Division I. It was WKU’s 12th regular season championship since joining Conference USA and eighth in a row.

“It means everything,” Meller said. “It just shows the discipline of this group. It hasn’t been easy, we haven’t played clean every night but this shows that we are fighting for it every single night. Our first weekend at New Mexico State, we could have given up a game but we didn’t. Down these stretches we’ve proven to ourselves what we can be, and everyone in this group has bought into that same idea.”

Kaira Knox and Alivia Skidmore had 11 kills each to pace the offense. Van De Wiele, whose season began a little later while recovering from offseason ankle surgery, paced the defense with seven blocks.

“I feel like every time I play I get more and more comfortable,” Van De Wiele said. “Obviously having everyone around me doing really well, that helps me keep going.”

WKU will wrap up the regular with two matches at Sam Houston — starting Thursday at 6 p.m.

About Micheal Compton

I am a sports reporter and movie critic for the Bowling Green Daily News.

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