Despite pushing Michigan State to four sets, Western Kentucky’s volleyball team dropped its match against the Spartans 3-1 (25-15, 25-17, 23-25, 25-23) on Friday at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan.

WKU senior outside hitter Kaylee Cox and senior right side hitter Kenadee Coyle combined for 25 kills, with Cox earning her fourth match this season with double-digit kills (12). Coyle’s 13 kills are also the most for her this season as a Hilltopper.

Sophomore middle hitter Izzy Van De Wiele led the Hilltoppers in the first set with a hitting percentage of .600, while Cox and sophomore outside hitter Gabby Weihe secured one block.

Cox surged ahead offensively in set two with five total kills while WKU (3-2) secured 2.5 kills with assists from five different players. Van De Wiele and redshirt junior setter Callie Bauer also recorded a block for WKU.

Momentum began to shift for the Hilltoppers in the third set, with Coyle grabbing five more kills. Senior outside hitter Katie Howard and Weihe notched two service aces apiece for a total of four in the third set.

Six different Hilltoppers recorded at least one kill in the fourth set, led by Coyle who secured her final four kills of the match. Weihe and Coyle also came together for the sole WKU block of the set.

Madyson Chitty led in the Hilltoppers in digs with 13, while Weihe and Van De Wiele tied for the lead in blocks with three in the match.

The Hilltoppers close out play in East Lansing on Saturday with a match against Loyola-Chicago at 11:30 a.m.