Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Man oh man, what a week it has been in the WKU sports realm. A record set, a championship opportunity, roundball is here, and a former Hilltopper scoredthreeNFL touchdowns. Let’s do this thing.
Soccer: Sun Belt ChampionshipWKU 0 – South Alabama 1
What a season it was for the Western Kentucky soccer squad. Outright SBC champions and yet another appearance in the conference title game, but yet again, WKU fell, this time to an inspired South Alabama squad by a single goal, coming off the foot of Lauren Allison to help the Jaguars capture their first ever Sun Belt soccer championship. While the loss stings, and a one-goal loss at that, it was an incredibly hard fought game (not to mention some questionable fouls called…or not called…from the officiating), and the ladies have everything in the world to be proud of. Unfortunately, the game marked the final WKU on-field appearance for 9 players:Nora Abolins,Andrea Curry,Kiersten Ottaway,Sydney Sisler,Stephanie Lindsey,Chrissy Tchoula, Taryn O’Shea,Torrie LangeandKayla Steber. These 9 ladies helped the Lady Toppers soccer program reach new heights, including 58 total wins and 2 SBC championship game appearances. To end the year, and their final year in the Sun Belt, the ladies finished with a record of 10-6-5 and placed a program record 7 Tops on the All SBC team. Great job, ladies, and we will see you next year!
Volleyball:WKU 3 – UALR 0,WKU 3 – Georgia State 0,WKU 3 – South Alabama 2
Busy week for volleyball summed up into easy to understand statements: Lady Tops clinched the #1 seed vs. UALR, then clinched the outright SBC championship vs. Georgia State, and finally, Ms.Melanie Stutsmanset a new WKU record against South Al, and now the Lady Topper all-time assist leader. Congratulations, Mel! The SBC tournament gets underway this week in Troy, AL, and of course, WTRT will have coverage for you.
Women’s Basketball:WKU 60 – Vanderbilt 85, WKU 86 – Murray State 63
Michelle Clark-Heard’s team traveled down to Nashville on Monday, and things looked good early, but a 38-7 (or, something crazy like that) closed the Dore (get it? Get it? Get it?) on WKU, as the Lady Commodores ran away with the contest. On Saturday, however, WKU got back to 2012-2013 form, by running out of the gate fast and never looking back on their way to an easy win against Murray St, the team’s 14th conescuitve over the Lady Racers.Alexis GovanandBianca McGeewere the only ladies to score in double-figures at Vandy, whileChastity GoochandJalynn McClainnotched double-doubles vs. the Racers.
Men’s Basketball:WKU 49 – Wichita State 66,WKU 57 – East Tennessee State University 50
We’ve seen quite the way to open up this men’s 2013-2014 campaign. It wasn’t quite what many of us, ifanyof us expected, but as it stands, the Tops are 1-1. Ray Harper’s squad faced quite the challenge, playing in a midnight game and in a rockin Charles Koch Arena, poor shooting didn’t help the cause either, as WKU fell, and onlyT.J. PriceandAlex Rostovnotched double digit points. (WTRT’s reaction, albeit delayed, can be read here.) On Saturday, it was another ugly game filled with fouls and poor shooting, but WKU found themselves on top, but only by 7. But hey, a W is a W, right? Not to mentionGeorge Fanthad his first good game in recent memory, sohopefullyhe’s back, Jack..er..George.
#ProToppers:Something new we will add to the WWW (just abbreviated WKU Weekly Wrap-up for the first time, and I like the triple-W. We will keep it), is something we do (or, at least,tryto do) daily via ourtwitter,is to keep up with our former Tops who now play professionally, or our #ProToppers.Courtney Leehad himself a decent week, aside from not playing in Saturday’s loss, as he averaged 10.3 points in 3 games to go along with…uhm…3..boards…BUT that’s okay! Only once did Lee not hit double-digits in points, a109-96 loss to Portland, in which he tallied 9. PoorJeremy Evansisstillout of the Jazz line up with a right rotator cuff strain, and has yet to see regular season playing action. I think it is safe to say, however, that the #ProTopper of the week is none other thanBobby Rainey, whoburstonto the scene Sunday as theBucs took care of the Falcons. Rainey finished the afternoon with 163 yards on 30 carries, 2 rushing TD’s and a receiving one. Well earned and deserved, mister Rainey. Let’s see you do it again next week!
Whew. Busy week. But, again, we wouldn’t have it any other way!
Also, if you missed ourWho Is Bobby Rainey?special yesterday,click hereand share it with a friend to help get the word out about the NFL’s next best running back.
Stand up and cheers.
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