Sept. 6, 2003
The University of Kentucky volleyball team improved to 4-1 on the season as they defeated Iowa in five games Saturday morning at the Cyclone Challenge in Ames, Iowa. The Wildcats are 2-0 at the tournament and will face host Iowa State Saturday night.
Kentucky started the match well, jumping out to a quick lead on the Hawkeyes. Iowa stormed back but the Wildcats held on for the 30-26 win in the first game. Iowa came back, winning the next two games 30-28 and 30-27. With their backs against the wall, the Cats soundly defeated the Hawkeyes in the fourth game, 30-22, tying the match at two games a piece. Kentucky closed out the match with a 15-8 fifth-game win. It was the Cats fourth straight victory and second five-set win this season.
Freshman Melissa Popp led the Cats with 19 kills, a season-high, and added 11 digs for her first career double-double. Popp hit .289 for the match and served five aces against the Hawkeyes. Senior Sissy Canfield hit .370 for the match, putting down 15 kills. Sophomore setter Leigh Marcum had a career high 63 assists.
Senior Liz McCaslin and junior Sarah Spinner were lethal on both offense and defense. McCaslin threw down 14 kills and had six digs while Spinner added 16 kills and seven digs. Freshman Jenni Casper pitched in with 14 digs at her libero position.
The Wildcats will close out the Cyclone Challenge when they play Iowa State Saturday night at 5 p.m. ET.
