Emotions ran high Saturday afternoon for Senior Day in Diddle Arena.
Senior outside hitter Aquila Orr, out since September with a torn anterior crucial ligament and meniscus, started the game for the Lady Toppers (22-8, 11-4 Sun Belt Conference) and served three points before being substituted out to a standing ovation.
“It was very heartfelt,” senior middle hitter Brittany Bowen said. “I’m so happy she got a chance to play after not playing this year.”
Western went on to beat Florida Atlantic in four sets (25-17, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20). The biggest drama of the match came in the second set with Western down 19-22.  Western scored the next six points, five of them on serves from freshman setter Kacy Moran who had entered the match for the first time.
“We put her in because she is consistent and she does her job,” Hudson said.
Junior Emily Teegarden led the Lady Toppers with 15 kills, and freshman outside hitter Jordyn Skinner had 14 digs.
Things were not as easy for the Lady Toppers on Friday as they lost to eventual SBC regular season champion Florida International in four sets (25-20, 21-25, 21-25, 23-25).
Western cruised to a victory in the first set but lost momentum after that.  The Lady Toppers were able to come back briefly in the second and third sets but fell short.
“(FIU’s) talent level is just phenomenal,” Hudson said. “We dug ourselves into holes that were hard to bounce back from.”
Skinner posted 15 kills and a .324 hitting percentage in the match.
“She had a great weekend both hitting and defending,” Hudson said.
Though the Lady Toppers lost the match, Hudson said they improved greatly over the weekend.
“The rest of the teams in the Sun Belt better hope the tournament comes quick, because we sure are ready for it,” Hudson said.