KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan outside hitter Maggie King collected her third consecutive double-double (15 kills, 11 digs), but the Broncos fell 3-1 (25-13, 22-25, 25-15, 25-18) to Toledo on Saturday afternoon at University Arena.
 
FINAL SCORE: Toledo 3, Western Michigan 1
LOCATION: University Arena (Kalamazoo, Mich.)
RECORDS: Western Michigan (13-8, 5-4 MAC) | Toledo (13-6, 6-2 MAC)
 
King's double-double was her eighth of the season, tying her for the team lead. Logan Case extended her streak of matches with 30 or more assists to 34 after handing out 35 helpers. Andelyn Simkins led the WMU defensive effort with 13 digs, while Reeghan Boyer chipped in nine.
 
Toledo raced out to a 15-5 lead to start the afternoon. At 17-9, the Rockets reeled off five consecutive points to extend the margin to 22-9. Western Michigan answered with three in a row, but UT took three of the next four to claim the first set.
 
Another 5-0 run helped the Rockets get out to a 15-9 advantage in the second set. Trailing 19-15, Western Michigan used an 8-1 surge to wrestle the lead away, 23-20. King then put down a pair of kills to seal the set for the Broncos and even the match at one apiece going into the break.
 
Six of the first seven points of the third frame went to Toledo to help the visitors get out to a 15-7 lead. Western Michigan could not get any closer than seven, as the Rockets regained the match advantage at 2-1.
 
In the fourth set, the Broncos tallied four in a row to break an 8-8 tie and grab a 12-8 edge. With Western Michigan in front 14-11, Toledo ripped off 10 consecutive points to go on top, 21-14. WMU worked back to within five, 22-17, but the Rockets closed it out from there to earn a split of the weekend series.
 
Western Michigan hits the road for the next two weekends of conference play, starting next Friday and Saturday at Ball State. The Broncos and Cardinals are set to open their series on Friday evening at 6 pm.