Coming off the program?s first win over a ranked opponent since the 1993 season, the Kentucky volleyball team takes a three-match winning streak into Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Friday when it takes on the Alabama Crimson Tide. Opening serve is set for 8 p.m. ET in The CAVE.
The Wildcats (12-5, 5-4 Southeastern Conference) are coming off an impressive 3-2 upset victory over No. 18 Tennessee on Wednesday night in Memorial Coliseum. Sophomore outside hitter Ashlee Fisher registered a career-high 21 kills to lead Kentucky, which toppled a ranked foe for the first time in 66 attempts dating back to Sept. 24, 1993.
Junior middle blocker Nicole Britenriker leads the Wildcats with 4.06 kills per game and is third on the squad with a .274 hitting percentage. Freshman setter Sarah Rumely is one of only two players in the league to rank in the top 10 in assists and service aces. She is averaging a team-high 12.72 assists per game and 0.60 aces per game.
The Cats and Crimson Tide meet for the 26th time in school history with the Wildcats holding a 16-9 advantage in the all-time series. In addition, Kentucky is 13-4 against Alabama in matches played in Tuscaloosa. The Wildcats snapped a seven-match losing streak against the Crimson Tide with a 3-1 win on Sept. 25 last season in Lexington.
Alabama (11-6, 6-2) enters Friday?s match with a four-match winning streak on the line after defeating Arkansas and No. 10 LSU last weekend in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide, who currently are in second place in the SEC?s Western Division, are led by Bridget Fuentez who is eighth in the league with 3.73 kills per game. The Bama defense has five different players who are averaging two or more digs per game, led by Amy Pauly with 4.22 dpg.
?Alabama is the hottest team in the SEC right now,? said UK head coach Craig Skinner. ?We need this opportunity to learn how to play well on the road against a good team. Our team is confident right now, so its good timing for this SEC showdown in Tuscaloosa.?