Jim Mashek

HILLTOPPERS FINISH ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SEASON AT 28-7; GOPHERS WILL FACE 11th-RANKED KENTUCKY ON FRIDAY NIGHT

LEXINGTON — There were twists and turns, to be sure, but Western Kentucky University’s volleyball team ran into a dead end at the University of Kentucky’s historic Memorial Coliseum.

Minnesota’s towering front line was waiting for the Hilltoppers.

The Golden Gophers won the critical points in the first two sets on Thursday evening and bounced back from a 25-20 setback in the third set, claiming a first-round NCAA Tournament victory over the Tops in four sets — 25-22, 25-20, 19-25 and 25-23 — while advancing to the second round on Friday night against Kentucky.

The 11th-ranked Wildcats dispatched Cleveland State in the nightcap, ousting the visiting Vikings in straight sets, 25-15, 25-14, 25-16.

Western Kentucky had gone six consecutive seasons with a first-round NCAA Tournament victory under longtime coach Travis Hudson, but the Hilltoppers got a tough draw with 15th-ranked Minnesota on Sunday night, and the Gophers were equal to the task.

WKU finished its season at 28-7 overall. The Hilltoppers were undefeated against Conference USA competition and had won 24 consecutive matches coming into the NCAA Tournament.

It’s been a challenging, complicated season for the Hilltoppers, who were without the services of head coach Travis Hudson and assistant head coach Craig Bere for several matches after both coaches sustained leg injuries, requiring surgery. Hudson, who is recovering from Lisfranc surgery on his right foot, has learned to wheel himself around pretty quickly, but getting through the Golden Gophers proved to be another story.

“My pride level’s off the charts, for what this group’s gone through,” Hudson said. “If you want to know our story, go back and watch us in the first week of the season, and then see where we are now … I fully expected it to go to a fifth set.”

The Hilltoppers struggled at the service line, with 18 service errors, between seven different WKU players. Minnesota also seemed more imposing at the net, with a towering front line that included 6-foot-3 Melani Shaffmaster, 6-foot-3 Alex Acevedo and 6-foot-2 Lydia Grote.

“It was a serve-and-pass night,” Hudson said. “We out-hit Minnesota, we out-blocked Minnesota and we out-dug MInnesota, and we and still found our way to the bottom of the score. It sure doesn’t happen very often in our sport, but it happened today.”

The service errors often killed WKU’s momentum, handing the ball over to the Gophers without a play at the net. WKU had four players finish in double digits with kills — 5-foot-10 freshman Alivia Skidmore (a team-leading 17), 6-foot-3 senior Kaylee Cox (12), 6-foot-1 freshman Faith Young (11) and 6-foot-1 senior Kenadee Coyle (11).

Minnesota’s Julia Hansen led her squad with 13 kills, followed by Grote’s 12. Both teams finished with 12 blocks, but the Gophers often seemed a step quicker on the long points of the match.

Minnesota coach Keegan Cook was effusive in his praise for WKU’s Travis Hudson, in his 30th season at Western, and his ambitious squad that overcame a 4-6 start to return to the NCAA Tournament.

“Congratulations to Western Kentucky, a program that plays at the highest level,” Cook said. “They’re a talented offensive team that can put some service pressure you, as well … I’m not surprised. I think Travis does an incredible job with his program … I’m feeling fortunate to get to coach my team another night.”

The Hilltoppers made a gritty comeback bid in the third and fourth sets. Western won nine of the set’s last 12 points, with Kaylee Cox and Alivia Skidmore delivering key points with the match on the line.

In the fourth set, WKU grabbed a 10-6 lead before Minnesota’s Cook called for a timeout. The Hilltoppers remained in front for several minutes, with the Gophers finally tying the score at 19 on an unforced WKU error. A net violation and service error followed, for the Tops, and Minnesota quickly took control in taking the fourth and final set, 25-23.

“We were really in control, of the first and the fourth sets,” Hudson said. “I’m not surprised Minnesota fought their way back in. When you’re in the Big Ten, you’re tested every night. You know you’re not going to rock them to the point where they stop playing.”