Bowling Green, Kentucky, October 26, 2025
News Summary
Three standout players from Western Kentucky University (WKU) volleyball shone in Week Eight as Alivia Skidmore, Tayler Baron, and Callie Bauer received notable awards. Skidmore earned the title of Offensive Player of the Week, Baron was named Defensive Player of the Week, and Bauer secured Setter of the Week honors. Bauer’s impressive 96 assists played a vital role in WKU achieving its 100th-straight regular season match win, while Skidmore and Baron also had remarkable performances, setting the stage for continued success this season.
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Three standout players from Western Kentucky University (WKU) volleyball have made headlines after receiving accolades from Conference USA for their exceptional performances during Week Eight. Alivia Skidmore was named Offensive Player of the Week, Tayler Baron earned Defensive Player of the Week, and Callie Bauer received Setter of the Week honors.
Callie Bauer played a crucial role in leading WKU to a remarkable milestone, achieving their 100th-straight regular season conference match win. During the weekend, she recorded a total of 96 assists, averaging 12.00 assists per set across eight sets of gameplay. Bauer not only managed to assist her teammates effectively but also contributed with seven kills, two blocks (including one solo block), and a service ace. Her performance was pivotal in guiding WKU to the conference’s best hitting percentage of .304, making them the only team in Conference USA to hold a hitting average above .300. Bauer’s current standings rank her second in Conference USA for assists per set (9.56) and total assists (631).
Bauer’s accolade as Setter of the Week marks her third consecutive award in this category, and her fifth recognized performance overall in just eight weeks of conference play.
Tayler Baron garnered her first Defensive Player of the Week distinction after averaging 5.25 digs per set and finishing the weekend with a total of 42 digs and seven assists. Baron recorded impressive performances with two separate matches featuring at least 20 digs, tallying 20 digs on Friday and 22 digs on Saturday. She is currently ranked fifth in Conference USA in digs per set (3.73) and sixth in total digs with 250.
Alivia Skidmore’s recognition as Offensive Player of the Week signifies the first time this season that a WKU player has received this honor. Over the weekend, Skidmore accumulated a remarkable total of 35 kills, which included a career-high of 20 kills in the match against Sam Houston on Friday. For the weekend, Skidmore achieved a hitting percentage of .406, with an even more impressive .425 hitting percentage in her performance against Sam Houston. In addition to her offensive achievements, she contributed three blocks and 11 digs during the weekend. Skidmore currently ranks fifth in kills per set (3.51) and eighth in total kills (259) in the conference.
As the Hilltoppers celebrate their recent accolades, they will continue conference play against the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) on October 24-25 at Diddle Arena, with the first serve scheduled for 6 p.m. CT on October 24.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the WKU volleyball players recognized in Week Eight?
Three players from WKU were recognized: Alivia Skidmore (Offensive Player of the Week), Tayler Baron (Defensive Player of the Week), and Callie Bauer (Setter of the Week).
What are Callie Bauer’s contributions this past weekend?
Callie Bauer had 96 assists, averaging 12.00 assists per set over eight sets, along with seven kills, two blocks, and one service ace.
What marks did WKU achieve in their games?
WKU celebrated their 100th-straight regular season conference match win and achieved the conference’s best hitting percentage of .304.
What are Alivia Skidmore’s notable achievements this season?
Alivia Skidmore achieved 35 kills over the weekend, including a career-high of 20 kills against Sam Houston, and she holds a hitting percentage of .406.
When will WKU volleyball play next?
The Hilltoppers will play against UTEP on October 24-25 at Diddle Arena, with the first serve set for 6 p.m. CT on October 24.
Key Features Summary
| Player | Award | Key Stats | Rankings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callie Bauer | Setter of the Week | 96 assists, 12.00 assists/set, 7 kills | 2nd in assists/set (9.56), 2nd in total assists (631) |
| Tayler Baron | Defensive Player of the Week | 42 digs, 5.25 digs/set | 5th in digs/set (3.73), 6th in total digs (250) |
| Alivia Skidmore | Offensive Player of the Week | 35 kills, .406 hitting percentage | 5th in kills/set (3.51), 8th in total kills (259) |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
UTEP Volleyball Ends WKU’s 100-Game Winning Streak
WKU Men’s Basketball Dominates Exhibition Game
WKU Volleyball Players Earn Conference USA Honors
Western Kentucky Secures Overtime Win Against Louisiana Tech
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Narrowly Fall to Western Kentucky
WKU Men’s Basketball Dominates Kentucky Wesleyan in Exhibition
Bowling Green Boys’ Soccer Triumphs in Penalty Shootout
Bowling Green Advances to KHSAA Elite 8 After Penalty Shootout Victory
WKU Volleyball Dominates Sam Houston for Continued Winning Streak
WKU Volleyball Players Earn Conference USA Honors
Additional Resources
- WKU Sports: Women’s Volleyball – WKU Bounces Back Against UTEP on Saturday
- Wikipedia: Volleyball
- Missouri State Bears: Women’s Volleyball – WKU Tops Bears in Straight Sets
- Google Search: WKU Volleyball
- WKU Sports: Hilltoppers Earn Three CUSA Players of the Week
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Volleyball
- WKU Sports: WKU to Unveil Travis Hudson Statue on Nov 8
- Google News: WKU Athletics
Author: STAFF HERE BOWLING GREEN WRITER
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