Western Kentucky WKU 2-0

Bradley BRAD 0-1

Western Kentucky WKU

2-0

Final

Aug. 26, 2022

Bradley BRAD

0-1

Set Scores
Team	1	2	3	F
Western Kentucky WKU	25	25	25	(3)
Bradley BRAD	16	19	13	(0)

Box Score

Josh Schwam

Volleyball Falls To #21 Western Kentucky In Season Opener

Box Score

Game Recap: Volleyball | 8/26/2022 8:41:00 PM

PEORIA, Ill. -- Opening a season against a nationally ranked opponent for the first time since 2006, Bradley Volleyball fell to 21st-ranked Western Kentucky in three sets with the Hilltoppers claiming a 25-16, 25-19, 25-13 victory over the Braves Friday at Renaissance Coliseum to close out the first day of competition at the 2022 CEFCU Invitational.

Western Kentucky (2-0 overall), which has the most victories in the nation over the last four seasons, picked up its second win on the young season after sweeping Miami (Ohio) Friday morning in the opening match of the CEFCU Invitational.

Senior Karagan Coggin paced Bradley (0-1 overall) with seven kills and hit at a .417 clip while adding a team-best three blocks, opening the season with a block solo for the Braves' first point of the season.

In the opening set, Western Kentucky used a 7-1 push midway through to break things open as the Hilltoppers built a 16-9 advantage. Bradley got as close as four points down the stretch (17-13) on a Doga Topcicek kill, but Western Kentucky was able to take the first set 25-16 with Paige Briggs capping the victory with her fifth kill of the set.

Coggin had three kills on three swings in the second set. Western Kentucky raced out to an 11-2 lead to open the frame, only to have Bradley battle back to pull within four late at 23-19. The Hilltoppers answered with the final two points on the set, however, to take the second 25-19.

Junior Maike Bertens Deckart and Coggin each notched three kills in the third set to lead Bradley offensively. One of Coggin's three kills in the set pulled Bradley within three points at 10-7, but Western Kentucky rattled off four straight and another five-point run later in the set pushed the Hilltoppers' advantage to 21-10. A 25-13 WKU victory gave the Hilltoppers the three-set victory. Coggin notched six of her team-best seven kills in the final two sets, hitting a combined .625 in the final two frames.

In other action at the CEFCU Invitational Friday, Kansas City edged Miami (Ohio) in five sets.

The CEFCU Invitational concludes Saturday with three matches at Renaissance Coliseum, starting with Bradley facing Miami (Ohio) in a 10 a.m. contest. Kansas City and Western Kentucky will square off at 1 p.m. and the tournament wraps up with the Braves taking on Kansas City at 6 p.m.

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