Aug. 24, 2002

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky volleyball team will provide fans with a preview of the 2002 squad when it takes to the floor for the annual Blue/White scrimmage on Sunday, Aug. 25 at 2 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum. The event is free and open to the public.

Kentucky will open its 26th season of volleyball when it travels to Hempstead, N.Y. on Friday, Aug. 30 for the two-day Hofstra Asics Invitational. Kentucky will face host Hofstra, Texas Tech and Fairfield. It marks the first of three early season tournaments, including UK’s own Kentucky Conference Challenge in Lexington, Sept. 13-14.

The Wildcats return six players with starting experience from a team that went 13-15 last season. The 2001 squad posted a 6-8 Southeastern Conference record and qualified for the SEC Tournament for the first time since 1999. After losing seniors April Barnhorst, a middle blocker, and setter Whitney Sample, the Cats will look to veteran players and two newcomers, Amy Kaplan and Danielle Wallace, for success in 2002.

The program, which celebrated its silver anniversary last season boasts a 542-328-1 all-time record. Coach Jona Braden enters her fifth season at the helm of the program, posting a 51-65 record in the rebuilding process.