LYNCHBURG, Va. – Western Kentucky defeated Liberty in three straight sets (25-20, 25-22, 25-17) on Friday at Liberty Arena. This victory allows the Hilltoppers (23-5, 14-1 CUSA) to keep their hold on a top spot in the conference with just one day left in the regular season. Unfortunately for the Lady Flames, their four-match winning streak came to an end, putting them fifth in CUSA with a record of 20-8 (8-7).
Game Highlights
- Western Kentucky outperformed Liberty, hitting .346 to Liberty’s .196. They also led in total kills (48-35), service aces (4-2), digs (47-40), and blocks (9-4).
- Keira Knox was the star for WKU, scoring 13 kills at an impressive .571 hitting percentage. Faith Young and Alivia Skidmore contributed with 11 and 9 kills, respectively. Callie Bauer provided strong support with 38 assists, while Tayler Baron led in digs with 19.
- On the Liberty side, Paige Overcash stood out with 10 kills at a .400 hitting mark. Jenna Otts added 8 kills, while Alison Bierwagen provided 19 assists.
Key Moments
Set two was a nail-biter, featuring 13 ties and four lead changes. The Lady Flames cut the gap to 24-22 thanks to timely kills from Overcash and Carly O’Brien. However, Young sealed the set for WKU with a decisive kill.
Quick Facts
- WKU has never lost to Liberty in volleyball, maintaining a 6-0 record against them.
- This match marked the first time Liberty was swept at home this season.
- Jenna Otts had an impressive streak of 11 consecutive matches with 10 or more kills—Liberty’s longest since 2014.
- Overcash has also been on a roll, getting double-digit kills in 11 of 13 matches this season.
- Shyia Richardson achieved her 11th match of the season with double-digit digs.
The Lady Flames will face the Hilltoppers once more tomorrow at 1 p.m., concluding the regular season with a senior day celebration for Shyia Richardson.
Expert Insights
Looking at the larger picture, teams often face turning points in their seasons that can impact future performance. Sports psychologist Dr. Jenna Hart points out that moments like these can affect team morale. “Winning streaks boost confidence, but a loss can be a wake-up call to reassess strategies and player dynamics,” she explains.
As the season wraps up, the emphasis on teamwork and resilience will be critical for both teams moving forward, especially with the conference tournament on the horizon.
For more details on team stats and player performances, you can check out the latest CUSA reports here.
