Photo - WKU Athletics
For the first time in WKU Volleyball history, a group of seniors has reached the NCAA Tournament all four years as the Lady Toppers are headed to Kentucky with their fourth-straight post-season appearance. Joining Travis Hudson’s squad in Lexington, are Notre Dame, ETSU and the host Wildcats. First round matches will take place at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. CT, on Friday, Nov. 30. Saturday’s match is slated for 6 p.m. CT.
In 2017, WKU Volleyball is making its 11th overall program appearance, including its ninth automatic bid into The Dance. Stringing together as many as 23 wins this season, the Lady Toppers enter NCAA action with a 30-3 overall record after winning their fourth-consecutive Conference USA Tournament title – becoming the first league team to ever four-peat. Additionally, for the seventh-straight year, the Red and White have spent time in the AVCA Coaches Poll, appearing twice during the 2017 campaign.
The Lady Topper volleyball program under the guidance of Hudson has now appeared in the NCAA Tournament seven of the past eight seasons. WKU has achieved 30 or more victories in six of those seven seasons.
Friday’s match will mark the first meeting between WKU and Notre Dame and is Notre Dame’s 19th NCAA appearance.
In 2017, Notre Dame has put together a 22-9 overall record and went 12-8 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, earning an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. WKU and the Irish had three common opponents this year as both teams clashed with Louisville, Pittsburgh and Ohio State.
With a victory over Notre Dame, WKU would advance to face the winner of the No. 4-seed Kentucky and ETSU match in the second round on NCAA action from Memorial Coliseum. The Lady Toppers are 5-2 all-time against ETSU with the most recent meeting taking place earlier this season in Bowling Green. WKU is 4-13 all-time against Kentucky, crossing paths most recently in an exhibition to begin the 2017 season. The last time the tilt between the sides counted was 2011 in Lexington.
WKU Volleyball has remained in-state for one other NCAA Tournament back in 2005 when the team earned an automatic bid into the Louisville regional.
(Courtesy WKU Athletics)
