For the Lady Toppers, the heat is on, and it’s not just because they’re in Miami, Fla., for the Sun Belt Conference tournament.

Western (23-9, 12-5) will start the single elimination tournament by playing Denver (25-6, 14-4), which led the Sun Belt west division and beat the Lady Toppers 3-2 in the regular season.

“It’s win or go home,” head coach Travis Hudson said. “And I think the best preparation is experience, and I think our kids have a lot of experience going into this tournament.”

Hudson imagines that Denver isn’t exactly happy about drawing Western for its first round opponent, considering the last time the two teams met, the Lady Toppers out-hit Denver .273 to .227, he said.

Denver did out-block Western 12-9, but since the two teams have met, the Lady Toppers’ defense has improved and made some changes that have led its nine-game winning streak.

“I think we’re really excited,” junior middle hitter Brittany Bowen said. “We get another crack at ‘em, and we’re pumped. I’m really excited.”

Going into the tournament, the Lady Toppers’ nine-game win streak is three games better than any other Sun Belt team in the tournament.

Bowen said that the Lady Toppers couldn’t be at a better place heading into the tournament and that they are ready to put it all out there.

And if sixth-seeded Western beats third-seeded Denver, chances are Western will meet Sun Belt rival and No. 2 seed, Middle Tennessee State.

“It’s gonna be a tough ride because everybody is playing for the last game,” senior middle hitter Megan Argabright said. “And we just have to wear it on our shoulder that it’s now or never.”

If the Lady Toppers meet up with MTSU, it will be the third time this season with each team having split the two previous meetings.

After the Lady Toppers’ most recent loss to MTSU, they made a commitment not to lose again this season, a commitment they have kept so far by playing with a chip on their shoulder, Bowen said.

Western drawing the No. 6 seed makes keeping that chip on its shoulder a little easier.

“We didn’t get the best seed,” Bowen said. “We know we’re not first, second or third. We’re not even in the top, so, again, we have to gain that respect back from all of those teams, and I think that’s why we’re on this kick.”