Bowling Green, Kentucky, August 28, 2025
News Summary
The WKU volleyball team begins its season by hosting the WKU Invitational this weekend. They face strong competition from Wright State, Loyola (Chicago), and Drake. After a successful previous season, the team aims for NCAA Tournament qualification despite losing key players to graduation. With notable preseason candidates returning and an influx of talented freshmen, the Hilltoppers are set to tackle a challenging schedule, including matches against top-ranked teams. Coach Travis Hudson emphasizes the importance of teamwork as they prepare for their opener at the E.A. Diddle Arena.
Bowling Green, Kentucky – The Western Kentucky University (WKU) volleyball team will kick off its 2025 season by hosting the WKU Invitational this weekend, with aspirations for NCAA Tournament qualification. This year, the team is taking on a number of tough challengers right from the start, hoping to build momentum for a successful campaign.
As part of the invitational, WKU will face Wright State at 11 a.m. and Loyola (Chicago) at 7 p.m. on Friday, followed by a match against Drake at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. All matches will take place at E.A. Diddle Arena, a venue WKU is utilizing for its season opener, which is relatively rare for the program.
The three teams participating in the invitational are regarded as high-level mid-major teams, each having won at least 20 matches last season. Every opponent is also ranked within the top 60-70 of the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), establishing a challenging environment for WKU right out of the gate.
Coming off a successful previous season, the Hilltoppers achieved a remarkable record of 28-7 and secured the title of Conference USA (CUSA) champions for the sixth time. Last year, they finished with a perfect 18-0 record in the conference but faced disappointment after being eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by Minnesota.
This season, WKU needs to address the void left by the graduation of several key seniors, including the Conference USA Player of the Year, Kaylee Cox. Nonetheless, the team is poised for success, returning three players who have been named preseason candidates for Conference Player of the Year: senior setter Callie Bauer, sophomore outside hitter Alivia Skidmore, and junior middle hitter Izzy Van De Wiele. In addition, the team will see contributions from an influx of talented freshmen expected to make an immediate impact.
Coach Travis Hudson has highlighted the youthful composition of the team along with the need to integrate new players swiftly. The team’s recent exhibition against Bellarmine indicated promising defensive capabilities, which could be critical as they face tough competition ahead.
Looking forward, Bauer has emphasized the importance of building connections with newcomers to foster confidence as the season progresses. In the preseason poll, WKU was once again picked to win Conference USA, receiving eight of the twelve first-place votes. Rivals UTEP and Delaware were respectively picked second and third in the poll.
The Hilltoppers’ non-conference schedule this season is decidedly ambitious, featuring matches against top-ranked teams such as No. 24 Dayton and a home match against Vanderbilt. Coach Hudson noted the rigorous nature of this non-conference schedule, anticipating that early results will significantly affect the team’s overall record.
In summary, the WKU volleyball team is poised for what promises to be a competitive and exciting season, underscored by a challenging non-conference slate and aspirations for NCAA success.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When does WKU’s volleyball season start?
The WKU volleyball season opens this weekend with the WKU Invitational on Friday and Saturday.
2. Who are WKU’s opponents during the invitational?
WKU will play against Wright State, Loyola (Chicago), and Drake during the invitational.
3. What was WKU’s record last season?
Last season, WKU finished with a record of 28-7 and was the Conference USA champions.
4. How many players were named preseason candidates for the Conference Player of the Year?
Three players from WKU were named preseason candidates for Conference Player of the Year.
5. Who are some notable opponents in WKU’s non-conference schedule?
WKU will face notable opponents including No. 24 Dayton and Vanderbilt in their non-conference schedule.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Season Opener | WKU Invitational at E.A. Diddle Arena |
| Opening Matches | Wright State, Loyola (Chicago), Drake |
| Last Season Record | 28-7, CUSA Champions |
| Preseason CUSA Player Candidates | Callie Bauer, Alivia Skidmore, Izzy Van De Wiele |
| Non-Conference Highlights | Matches against No. 24 Dayton, Vanderbilt |
| Projected CUSA Finish | Picked to finish first in the preseason poll |
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Additional Resources
- BG Daily News: WKU Volleyball Season Kickoff
- Wikipedia: WKU Hilltoppers
- WNKY: Toppers Eyeing Strong Season
- Google Search: WKU volleyball news
- Liberty Flames: WKU Clinches CUSA Title
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Volleyball
- WKU Sports: CUSA All-Conference Awards
- Google News: WKU volleyball
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