BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Western Michigan volleyball team closed out non-conference play with a 3-1 setback (25-17, 25-23, 19-25, 25-18) at Western Kentucky on Saturday in the final match of the Alyssa Cavanaugh Classic. 

FINAL SCORE: Western Kentucky 3, Western Michigan 1

LOCATION: E.A. Diddle Arena (Bowling Green, Ky.)

RECORDS: Western Michigan (10-2) | Western Kentucky (10-4)

Following the contest, Western Michigan seniors Logan Case and Andelyn Simkins were named to the Alyssa Cavanaugh Classic All-Tournament Team. Case handed out 77 assists (11.00/set) over WMU's two matches, while Simkins registered 35 digs (5.00/set).

Fueled by Case's 43 assists, the Western Michigan attack hit .261 for the afternoon and four Broncos had seven or more kills. Anna Calcagno and Keona Salesman put down 13 kills apiece to lead WMU, while Mary Clare Brusek posted eight kills and Abi Wilcoxson chipped in with seven. 

Simkins paced Western Michigan's defensive effort with 20 digs, while Mairead Boyle was also in double-figures with 13. Calcagno recorded eight digs and tied with Brusek for the team lead with four blocks in the contest. 

Western Kentucky got off to a fast start, as it notched seven of the first eight points of the contest. A Western Michigan rally closed the gap to 14-12, but the Hilltoppers used an 8-1 surge to put the frame beyond reach. 

In the second set, the Broncos broke a 9-9 tie with a 5-1 run to move in front, 14-10. With Western Michigan holding an 18-15 edge, WKU reeled off eight of the next nine to open up a 23-19 advantage. WMU fought off three set points to get back to within one, 24-23, but the Hilltoppers took the next point to claim the set and a 2-0 match lead. 

A 5-1 burst helped Western Michigan get out to an 11-6 lead in the third set. With their edge at 18-14, the Broncos reeled off four consecutive points to stretch the margin out to 22-14. The Hilltoppers got to within five, 24-19, before an Amanda Glanton kill sealed the set for WMU and sent the contest into a fourth frame.  

WKU got out to a 9-4 start in the fourth set. Western Michigan got to within three points several times, including at 16-13, but the Hilltoppers countered with three in a row to boost their cushion to six, 19-13. The Broncos answered with four of the next five to get the margin back down to three, 20-17. At 21-18, Western Kentucky ripped off four points in a row to seal the contest.

Western Michigan begins Mid-American Conference play next week as it travels down to Oxford, Ohio, for a two-match series against Miami. The first match between the Broncos and RedHawks is set to begin on Thursday evening at 7 pm.