Nov. 3, 2002
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky volleyball team wasted not time in shutting down Southeastern Conference-foe Ole Miss on Sunday, Nov. 4 for a 3-0 win on Senior Day at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Ky. Senior Kristen Batt stole the show for UK (11-12, 5-7 SEC), recording 16 kills with a career-high .600 hitting percentage. The Venice, Fla., native also had six digs, moving her within two of the 1,000 mark for her career.
Sarah Spinner was a solid all-around weapon for Kentucky as well, putting down 19 kills while earning 12 digs for her second double-double of the weekend. Freshman Amy Kaplan hit .667 on the afternoon, recording five kills and four blocks. Senior Aleisha Craven, the UK libero, had a match-high 16 digs.
UK hit .427 on the match, a season-high, to Ole Miss’ .040, the lowest by a UK opponent this year. The number was due in part to a .556 hitting performance by the Cats in the second game. Kentucky dominated the blocking game, 12-4, while out-digging the Rebels 44-26.
The Wildcats dominated the match from the onset, busting out to a 16-5 lead early. UK had no trouble closing out the first game with the 30-16 win. Kentucky followed with a 30-14 win in game two. The Rebels came alive to start the third game, exchanging leads with the Cats several times before a UK run distanced the Cats. After Ole Miss tied the game at 23 UK burned a timeout. Kentucky came back strong, and closed out the final game, 30-25.
Kentucky moves to 24-6 in the series with the Rebels, having won the last five in a row. The Cats return to action on Tuesday, Nov. 5, when they travel to Baton Rouge, La., to face Louisiana State. The match, which was originally scheduled for Oct. 4, was rescheduled due to Hurricane Lili.
