Rush, Baron garner CUSA week awards

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WKU’s Kate Rush (2) attempts a kill during the Hilltoppers 3-0 win over Kennesaw State on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025 at E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, Ky.(Caleb Lowndes / Daily News)
(Caleb Lowndes)

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Western Kentucky junior Tayler Baron (right) celebrates a point as teammate Cali Foster looks on during a 3-0 win against Missouri State on Oct. 3 at E.A. Diddle Arena.
(WKU ATHLETICS)

Two Western Kentucky volleyball players have earned Conference USA weekly awards, the league office announced on Monday.

For the sixth time in 2026, sophomore Kate Rush has been named Setter of the Week and junior libero Tayler Baron earned the Defensive Player of the Week nod for the second time.

This past weekend against Liberty, Rush dished out 67 assists, notched 10 digs, totaled nine kills, four aces and four blocks. She managed 34 assists, six digs, four kills, four blocks and three aces Friday and added 33 assists, five kills, four digs and one ace Saturday. The sophomore leads the league in assists and assists/set. Rush has totaled 50 aces on the year to lead the league for a best 0.53 aces/set.

Baron anchored the Hilltoppers to an efficient defensive weekend. Baron notched 29 digs, five assists, and three aces while averaging 4.83 digs/set. The junior logged 17 digs, three assists and an ace on Friday and 12 digs, two assists and two aces on Saturday. She posted a .963 reception average and helped hold the Flames under .200 in both matches with a .111 mark on Saturday, the second lowest all season for Liberty. Her 4.20 digs/set is third in the league.

The Hilltoppers close out the regular season on the road at Sam Houston starting Thursday. First serve from Huntsville, Texas is set for 6 p.m. CT.

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