Western Kentucky middle hitter Izzy Van De Wiele (25) attempts a kill during WKU’s 3-2 loss to Tennessee on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, Ky. (Photo by Caleb Lowndes/caleb.lowndes@bgdailynews.com)

Western Kentucky’s volleyball team closed out the 2024 non-conference slate with a 3-0 (25-18, 26-24, 25-13) win against Austin Peay in the Alyssa Cavanaugh Classic on Saturday at E.A. Diddle Arena.

WKU senior outside hitter Kaylee Cox led the offensive charge with a .475 hitting percentage and a season-high 22 kills. Senior right-side hitter Kenadee Coyle and sophomore middle hitter Izzy Van De Wiele recorded the most blocks for the Hilltoppers (7-6 overall) with four each.

WKU jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead to open the first set thanks to a .500 team hitting percentage and holding the Governors (1-10 overall) to .172. Coyle contributed a total of four kills for a .667 hitting percentage, while Cox finished with a .625 hitting percentage with five kills. Coyle, freshman outside hitter Faith Young and Cox combined for six total blocks at two each.

Down by as many as four points at 17-13 in the second set, the Hilltoppers battled back with four straight points to tie set two at 17-all. WKU finished the set with an improvement in kills from 14 kills in set one to 19 in set two. Cox put up double-digit kills with 11, while Coyle added two more blocks to her count for a total of four.

The Hilltoppers led by as many as nine in set three, with a five-point run punctuated by back-to-back blocks from Van De Wiele and Callie Bauer. Van De Wiele also led during the third set in kills with three.

WKU senior libero Abby Schaefer led the back row with eight digs.

After the three wins at home, Head Coach Travis Hudson is two wins away from breaking E. A. Diddle’s all-time single sport win record (760).

WKU opens 2024 CUSA regular season play at Jacksonville State on Friday. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.