Western Kentucky volleyball dropped to 4-1 on the season Friday after taking a 3-1 loss to tournament host Louisville at the Cardinal Classic.

The No. 24 Lady Toppers won the first set 25-18 before losing the ensuing sets 25-19, 25-15 and 25-16.

“Tonight was a disappointing night for sure,” coach Travis Hudson in a news release. “Louisville continued to get better and better as the night went along, and we did not. In big matches you need your veterans to step up and make plays, and we struggled with that tonight.”

Sydney Engle led WKU on Friday night with 10 kills on 19 attacks. Her .421 hitting percentage also led the team.

Jessica Lucas posted 35 assists for the Lady Toppers, while Emma Kowalkowski collected 17 digs.

Tess Clark tallied a match-best 13 kills for Louisville.

WKU will continue play at Cardinal Arena on Saturday. The Lady Toppers will battle Illinois at 9:30 a.m. CDT, then face Kent State at 4:30 p.m.{&end}