As a right side hitter for the Western Kentucky Lady Toppers Sydney Engle racked up three All-Conference USA honors and five C-USA defensive player of the week nods, now the Floyds Knobs, Indiana, native is taking on a different style of defending as a goal keeper for the WKU soccer team.
According to the Bowling Green Daily News, the graduate student’s addition to the soccer team is effective immediately. Engle’s first chance to see the field would be Friday night as WKU plays host to Lipscomb. The Lady Topper roster lists two other goalkeepers, redshirt junior transfer Anne-Marie Ulliac and freshman Bailee Witt. Both keepers are listed a 5-9, while Engle brings extra height at 6-0.
Engle is taken advantage of a rule that allows players a 5th year of NCAA eligibility if they use it on a different sport than their first 4, given they meet certain other requirements (such as, are within 5 years of starting college, without a waiver). In volleyball, we most often see this play out with indoor players transferring and playing a season on the beach as a graduate student.
In Engle’s case, though, this has manifested in her appearance on the Western Kentucky soccer roster. Witt has started 5 of the Hilltoppers’ 6 games so far this season and has given up 8 goals on 26 shots-on-goal. The 1.658 goals-against average ranks Western Kentucky 221st out of 335 division i teams so far this season.
The addition has inspired a little spirited celebration of Engle between the soccer and volleyball teams.
Hey there! 👋
Definitely know her. Won some 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 and earned some 💍💍💍💍 together! 😏 pic.twitter.com/ANpH0HW3d3
— WKU Volleyball (@WKUVolleyball) August 31, 2018
We can indeed!
She happens to own the 11th-most block assists in WKU Volleyball history. ⛔⛔
You should also know, she's very reliable – playing in every match during her time with us & ranks in our top-10 in both sets and matches played! ✅✅✅ pic.twitter.com/tsOwXjY56U
— WKU Volleyball (@WKUVolleyball) August 31, 2018
Sounds like we can count on her! We can't wait to have her on the squad, she'll be an awesome fit!@Sydneyengle16, welcome to the team! 👋 #GoTops pic.twitter.com/J69NCAy15j
— WKU Soccer (@WKU_Soccer) August 31, 2018
The Conference USA Academic Medalist posted four double-doubles as a senior, while leading WKU in digs 14 times, blocks seven times and kills twice. She tallied double-digit kills seven times and double-digit digs on 15 occasions, including four double-doubles en route to AVCA Honorable Mention All-Region nods and second team all-conference accolades.
Engle supplied a little bit of everything during her four-year career on the hardwood, notching 925 kills, 835 digs, 272 blocks and 80 aces. She ranks 10th in career sets (485) and matches played (140) after helping WKU to four C-USA Tournament titles and a share of the regular season crown all four years as well.
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