Good morning, Hilltoppers! Please read on for stories on oral tradition in Black History Month, the start of WKU Softball's season, a win from the Lady Toppers, as well as a loss from WKU Men's Basketball and an opinion piece on WKU Men's Basketball playing abilities. Happy Friday, and as always, GO TOPS!
Phyllis Elmore’s “Quilt of Souls” highlights oral tradition for Black History Month
Phyllis Biffle Elmore signs her memoir, “Quilt of Souls” for Pam Johnson at her book signing event at the Warren County Public Library Bob Kirby Branch on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. Photo by Libby Simpson.
Anthony Clauson | News Reporter
Phyllis Biffle Elmore, a veteran and a counselor for individuals with addiction, incarcerated youth and domestic violence survivors, shared stories from her book, “Quilt of Souls,” at the Warren County Public Library Bob Kirby Branch on Thursday
The book is a collection of stories Elmore’s grandmother, Lula Horn, told her as a child after she moved to Alabama to live with her grandparents The book is based on a real quilt Horn had made, which was on display at the event. Elmore told the audience Horn would take the clothes of people who had passed away and transform them into quilts, and as Horn worked she would recount to Elmore stories of the clothing’s former owners
Read more by Anthony Clauson
The WKU softball team gathers together before the start of the game against the University of Akron at the WKU Softball Complex on March 5, 2023. WKU won 50. Photo by Allie Schallert.
WKU Softball eyes Conference USA crown in 2025
After a devastating loss in the 2024 Conference USA championship, WKU Softball looks to bounce back in the 2025 season
Read more by Adrianna
Lein
The first four innings of the 2024 CUSA championship saw a flawless performance by former pitcher Katie Gardner and led to a 3-1 Hilltopper lead going into the bottom of the sixth However, Liberty matched their intensity with another two runs, leaving the game tied 33 going into the seventh. After two more scoreless innings, the nailbiter of a game came to a close in the bottom of the ninth with a Liberty walk-off double
“I definitely have a bitter taste in my mouth from it from last year, ” senior catcher and infielder Randi Drinnon said.
WKU guard Josie Gilvin (33) shoots the ball through defenders during the Lady Topper’s game against the La Tech Lady Techsters in Bowling Green, Ky. on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025.
Photo by Eli Randolph.
BASKETBALL ROUNDUP
Gilvin scores 28 in WKU’s win over Kennesaw State
Read more by Austin Rice
Road woes continue as Hilltoppers fall at Kennesaw State
Read more by Nathan Mueller
OPINION: WKU Men’s Basketball progress report
WKU Head Coach Hank Plona instructs his starting lineup prior to tipoff against New Mexico State on Feb 1, 2024 in Diddle Arena Photo by Von Smith
As the men ’ s basketball season inches closer to the postseason, WKU sits at 5-4 in Conference USA play.
The narrative of WKU’s season is injury-related, losing players like last year ’ s CUSA
All-Freshman Teagen Moore before the season Team leaders like Babacar Faye and Julius Thedford suffered injuries during the season
“We’re in decent shape, we ’ re moving forward I think our team is getting better,” Head Coach Hank Plona said. “We’re surviving the ups and downs. The injuries and stuff like that.”
It remains to be seen whether that narrative is one of what could’ve been or of overcoming adversity Despite early struggles in the conference slate, the Hilltoppers have gotten hot nearing midseason and are currently on a three-game win streak
Read more by Nathan Mueller and Michael GIvner
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