Lady Toppers gearing up for big weekends

While all eyes will be on Champaigne come tomorrow morning, there are actual Hilltopper events to be played before toe meets leather, and they all involve the Lady Toppers – be it the soccer squad or volleyball team.

For soccer, they’re seeing their first action since August 24th (the 1-0 win against Mercer) and have started the 2014 season in record fashion, by becoming the first WKU soccer club to begin a season undefeated and with back-to-back shutouts. They’ll get a break from their idle week by hosting the SEC’s Lady Vols from Tennessee, who are 1-2 on the young year, and winless on the road. UT is coming off a 1-nil home loss to #23 BYU, and are 5-3 all time against teams from C-USA. These same two teams have meet three times since 2010, with the Lady Vols winning all but last years’ draw. Coming into the contest, WKU junior Lauren Moats ranks ninth in Lady Tops’ soccer history with 12 goals.
The Vols, statistically, are lead by Amy Neal and Hannah Wilkinson, who each have two goals on the young year, and keeper Jamie Simmons has played all 271+ minutes for Tennessee so far this season. First touch is set for tonight at 6 p.m. at the WKU soccer complex.

The volleyball team, on the other hand, are off to another tournament fresh off the sweep of the Belmont Bruins, and will be one of five teams competing in the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational, hosted by Missouri State. The Lady Tops’ will begin the day bright and early, at 10 a.m. to be exact, to take on Incarnate Word and will then have time to catch up on any lost Zzz’s before facing the host Bears at seven. Then, tomorrow, WKU will take on Wisconsin-Milwaukee at 10:30 and will close out the weekend against Oral Roberts at 2:30. Both of Friday’s opponents will mark history, as it’ll be the first time the programs meet, and it’s been quite a while (early 1990’s) since the Lady Tops faced Milwuakee or Oral Roberts. Freshman setter Jessica Lucas has already dished out 112 assists, making us all ask “Melanie Who?” Just kidding, but we are sure Ms. Stutsman is proud!

So, who has a prediction for how the Lady Toppers’ weekend will end? Is anyone going to the UT game tonight? Let us know by commenting below or sending us a tweet over at @WaveTheRedTowel.com.