Western Kentucky rode its most efficient offensive game in program history to another impressive nonconference win Tuesday night.

The Hilltoppers recorded a school-record .549 hitting percentage in a 3-0 sweep of Austin Peay at E.A. Diddle Arena. That performance bested the previous program record of a .538 hitting clip, set in a Sept. 14, 2004, match against Tennessee State.

WKU (19-2) has now won 15 straight matches. Tuesday’s victory came against a Governors squad that’s been solid this season and is now 17-4.

The Lady Toppers held APSU to a .200 hitting percentage in claiming the 25-20, 25-15, 25-18 win.

“We always pride ourselves on being able to come at you from multiple positions and there have been times this year when Alyssa (Cavanaugh’s) had to carry us or Rachel (Anderson’s) had to carry us,” coach Travis Hudson said. “But when we’re really unstoppable is when we can come at you from everywhere.

“Tonight was one of those nights.”

WKU used an across-the-board effort to record its sparkling offensive numbers. The middle hitter Anderson led her team in kills at 13 on 15 attacks with just one error, hitting at an .800 clip.

Following the junior Anderson in kills were Jessica Lucas (eight), Cavanaugh (seven), Sydney Engle (six) and Taylor Dellinger (five). Those four athletes attacked Tuesday at percentages of .500, .294, .600 and .571, respectively.

“Everybody on the team does their job and everyone can pick one another up in a given game,” the junior outside hitter Dellinger said. “We all feed off each other every game.

“It’s just a good environment to be in because if one person’s having a bad game then another person can pick them up and get the job done.”

When the senior setter Lucas wasn’t attacking, she was getting her teammates in position to make plays. She recorded 32 assists, bringing her career total at WKU to 4,805.

Lucas sits at third in career assists in Lady Topper history, trailing No. 1 Melanie Stutsman (5,294) and No. 2 Sara Noe (5,172). WKU has nine regular-season matches and a postseason left during which Lucas can chase that record.

“Our hitters are amazing,” the Seymour, Ind. native Lucas said. “I can give them crappy sets and they go up and finish it.

“Overall, (breaking the single-game hitting percentage record) is a great team accomplishment.”

The Lady Toppers came into play Tuesday night ranked No. 37 in the NCAA Volleyball Ratings Percentage Index.

WKU’s win over Austin Peay (RPI ranking of No. 65) improved the Lady Toppers’ record this year against the RPI Top 100 to 6-2.

WKU has also defeated RPI No. 87 Miami (Ohio), No. 41 Pittsburgh, No. 94 Lipscomb, No. 29 Ohio State and No. 61 Dayton and lost to No. 26 Louisville and No. 22 Illinois.

“Austin Peay’s having a tremendous year,” Hudson said. “They’re 17-4 now with wins over (RPI No. 35) Missouri, over (No. 44) Northern Iowa.

“This is a real blessing when you’re trying to build RPI late in the year and put yourself in position for an (NCAA Tournament) at-large. We’re glad to get the win to do that.”

APSU (17-4) – 20 15 18 – 0

WKU (19-2) – 25 25 25 – 3

Next Up

WKU returns to Conference USA play this weekend for matches Friday night at Alabama-Birmingham and Saturday afternoon at Florida International.

The Lady Toppers are 5-0 in C-USA play and have won 30 straight league matches between the regular season and postseason, a conference record.

Notes

Hudson is 578-201 both overall in his coaching career and in his 23rd season at WKU. … The Lady Toppers lead their all-time series against the Governors 31-11. … WKU’s 14-game win streak entering play Tuesday was third longest in the nation. The Lady Tops, who’ve won 15 straight matches, have posted a winning streak of at least nine matches in each of the past seven seasons. … WKU has won 16 consecutive sets dating to a 3-2 win Sept. 22 at Florida Atlantic. … Announced attendance at Diddle Arena was 554.{&end}