Sept. 6, 2003
Ames, Iowa – The University of Kentucky volleyball team completed a sweep of the teams at the Cyclone Challenge with a 30-17, 30-17, 30-25 victory over host Iowa State Saturday night. The Wildcats improve their overall record to 5-1 while winning their fifth straight match.
Kentucky defeated Western Illinois on Friday night and then won a grueling five-set match Saturday morning against Iowa. They then held Iowa State to a .113 hitting percentage to win the tournament title.
Senior Sissy Canfield and junior Sarah Spinner were named to the All-Tournament Team while sophomore setter Leigh Marcum was named the tournament Most Valuable Player.
“It was an incredible team effort this weekend,” Coach Jona Braden said. “We came in ready to face three teams with different styles and we were able to keep our momentum through the tournament.”
Canfield averaged 12 kills a match during the tournament while Spinner averaged over 16, including a season-high 19 in the win over the Cyclones. Marcum had a double-double Saturday night with 42 assists and 15 digs.
“I’m so proud of Leigh,” Coach Braden said. “When things started not to go well, she was able to turn things around offensively by feeding all of the hitters.”
Sophomore Amy Kaplan had 10 kills and had a season-high hitting percentage of .667, which led the team. Freshman Jenni Casper had 14 digs for the second straight match.
The Cats will play host to Syracuse, Virginia and Wright State this weekend at the Kentucky Conference Challenge. Kentucky’s home opener will be Friday night at 7 p.m. ET at Memorial Coliseum against Syracuse.
All-Tournament Team
Kali Landis–Western Illinois
Laura Simpson–Iowa
Renae Pruess–Iowa State
Dana Koziol–Iowa State
Sissy Canfield–Kentucky
Sarah Spinner–Kentucky
MVP–Leigh Marcum–Kentucky
