BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Sam Houston dropped the series opener, falling in straight sets to WKU at E.A Diddle Arena on Friday. 

WKU (16-4, 7-0 CUSA) hit .328 and Hilltopper Alivia Skidmore led the match with 20 kills. The Bearkats (8-12, 0-7 CUSA) hit .139 for the match. 

The Kats went back and forth through the sets and kept the match close with the final set being 25-20 after a five-point run by the Bearkats.  

Chloe Monson, Lauren Malone, and Lillian Hamilton led the Kats in kills with seven apiece. Shaelin White defended the court with 15 digs, and Avery Fowler led the team with 22 assists. Rachelle Reed had another five blocks in this match after her previous career high against UTEP. 

The Bearkats continue the series against WKU on Saturday at 1 p.m. at E.A. Diddle Arena and the action can be followed on ESPN+.