Visiting and 23rd-ranked WKU got off to a fast start in set one en route to a 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-16) victory over Charlotte in Conference USA volleyball action on Friday night.
"That's why they are the best of the best," began Head Coach Karen Weatherington. "We definitely didn't play to the level we are capable of or have been training at. It's just a tough night. We bounced back towards the end, made some adjustments and continued to learn."
OPENING SET
WKU (20-2, 8-0) got off to a quick 15-6 start in the opener before Charlotte (8-12, 2-6) started to settle in with a four-point run thanks to three-straight kills from Emani' Foster. Down 23-13 late, a kill from Jessica Ricks, ace by Annika Thompson and Hilltoppers hitting error made it 23-17 before Lara Kretschmer converted the Niners final kill just prior to WKU clinching the first 25-18.
MATCHING START
Charlotte matched WKU to an 8-8 start in the second before a Foster kill ended a tiebreaking 5-0 run getting it back to 13-11 after an ace from Annika Wetterstrom and solo block by Amani McArthur. The 'Tops put together a couple of quick bursts to create their final bit of separation despite two more kills from Ricks and one from Foster to take a 2-0 match lead.
FINAL FRAME
The 49ers couldn't get much going in the third as the Hilltoppers raced out to a 15-5 start. Ricks had a pair of kills just past the midway point, Wetterstrom and McArthur added one more as well before WKU clinched the match with their 25-16 win.
COACH K ON THE ALUMNI RETURNING
"It's been an incredible week. We had Constance Watt, one of the best to ever play here, Krista Long, Sheri Hall, it's just been an incredible week. It's always great to know that someone started this tradition for you. They love the way we are and are always in our corner."
DIG PINK NEXT ON SUNDAY
Charlotte returns to Halton Arena on Sunday to host their annual "Dig Pink" match vs. UTEP. First serve is set for 1:00 p.m. on ESPN+. All watch, stats and ticket links are available online at http://www.charlotte49ers.com.
WEATHERINGTON ON SUNDAY'S DIG PINK MATCH
"We're working hard to raise money for the Side Out Foundation. Breast cancer has touched so many of our families. We'll give out pink t-shirts, pink bucket hats and to stand in the gap for women who have faced breast cancer."
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up