Oct. 13, 2011
LEXINGTON, Ky. – After posting a perfect 3-0 mark in its three match home stand, the 25th-ranked Kentucky volleyball team will return to the road for a trio of matches beginning at Mississippi State Friday night. First serve is slated for 8 p.m. ET.
Kentucky improved to 17-3 overall on the season and 8-1 in league action following a thrilling five-set victory over No. 18 Tennessee Wednesday night. The victory over the Lady Vols secured Kentucky’s seventh consecutive 17-win season under the direction of Craig Skinner.
UK’s serving has been a difference maker for the Blue and White as the Wildcats charted eight service aces in the win. Junior Ashley Frazier leads the squad with 27 for the season, including 15 against league foes. Junior Stephanie Klefot has notched 20 points off of a serve and sophomore Whitney Billings has registered 17.
The Wildcats’ defense has also proved a factor as the squad has rattled off 15 victories in its last 16 matches. Kentucky boasts the league’s leader for digs per set in Klefot, while the team sets the standard in the conference with 2.49 blocks per frame.
Furthermore, a balanced offense attack has been difficult for opponents to stop. Six different Wildcats record between 2.20 and 2.92 kills per set. UK’s offense is potent with a variety of attackers for an efficient 14.20 kills per set that ranks as the best in the league.
Kentucky’s match at Mississippi State will mark the halfway point of the conference season for the Blue and White.
An upstart Mississippi State team enters the matchup with a 9-8 overall record, a 4-4 mark in league play and sits in second place in the SEC Western standings. The Bulldogs post 12.70 kills per set, paced by 4.32 from the hand of Caitlin Rance. Mississippi State also charts 2.15 blocks per set as Lainey Wyman leads the squad with 1.09 turn backs per stanza.
Kentucky leads the all-time series with a 39-1 mark, which includes an 11-0 clip under Skinner.
Kentucky’s Memorial Coliseum will play host to the NCAA Regionals Dec. 9-10. UK is one of four sites selected for Sweet 16 and Elite Eight matchups with one team advancing to the Final Four in San Antonio, Texas, from the Lexington Region.Opening night matches are scheduled for 5 and 7 p.m. ET. Saturday’s finals is set for a 4:30 p.m. ET first serve.
Tickets are now on sale through the UK Ticket Office. All-Session Tickets are reserved for all ages at $14. General Admission tickets for adults are priced at $12 and students or seniors’ general admission is slated for $8.
Single session tickets are priced at $8 for reserved for all ages. General admission for adults is priced at $7, with students and seniors priced at $5. Youth single session tickets are $4.
For tickets or more information feel free to call, 1-800-928-CATS.
Visit UKathletics.com for the most up-to-date information on the UK volleyball team and all of Kentucky’s 22 teams.
