The Lady Bisons volleyball team struggled to keep pace with the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in their home opener, resulting in a three-set loss.
After a slow start, the Purple and Gold showed some promise in the last two sets, but ultimately it was not enough to overcome. The loss ended the Lady Bisons six-game winning streak. Head coach Brandon Rosenthal was disappointed with his team’s lack of focus and passion.
“I didn’t think we came with that same drive and passion,” Rosenthal said. “I felt like tonight we were trying to manufacture it (energy), instead of it coming from the heart.”
While Rosenthal was not happy with the playing of his team, he did recognize the strong play from the Hilltoppers.
“More than anything, it’s a matter of playing our brand of volleyball, we didn’t do that tonight,” Rosenthal added. “A lot of that had to do with what Western Kentucky did.”
Western Kentucky blitzed Lipscomb in the first set, 25 to 11, then went on to take the final two sets, 25 to 20.
“Western Kentucky is a good team,” Rosenthal said. “They played some disciplined volleyball and unfortunately we paid for it.”
Already without middle blocker Jewell Dobson, LUV was also without libero Bri McCombs. McCombs was a game-time decision.
“Any time you are filling in for multiple players it makes it tough,” Rosenthal said. “But by the same token it gives other players opportunities.”
The Lady Bisons return to Allen Arena this weekend to host the Lipscomb Invitational. They open with Georgia Tech on Friday night at 6:30 p.m., then take on in-state foe ETSU on Saturday afternoon at 12:30. The Lady Bisons wrap up with Utah at 6:30 p.m.
Photo credit to Erin Turner