Nov. 20, 1999

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Kentucky’s hopes of playing in its first SoutheasternConference Volleyball Tournament Championship game since 1990 endedSaturday afternoon as the No. 6-seeded Cats fell to the No. 2-seeded and23rd-ranked Arkansas Lady Razorbacks, 3-1.

Kentucky (15-14) was led by Katie Eiserman’s 13 kills and a career-high 23digs by freshman Kristen Batt. Megan Weiskircher also played a lead rolefor UK with nine kills and six blocks.

Arkansas (27-5) got going early as the Lady ‘Backs opened up an 8-2 gameone lead. The Cats began the match by playing hesitant but settled down onthe heels of three UA hitting errors that helped bring the score to 11-7.Defensively UK was strong from the beginning and three team blocks helpedthe Cats get within 13-10, but a late UK hitting error and a YarleenSantiago kill finished off the Cats in game one, 15-10.

Game two was decided by Arkansas’ blocking as the Lady ‘Backs shut downthe UK attack with five blocks in the game. The Cats opened up a 4-2 leadin game two with Weiskircher playing a role in three of the points with onekill, one block assist and one service ace. With the score 4-3, UA’sYarleen Santiago led a charge that saw the Lady ‘Backs reel off 11 straightpoints on their way to a 15-5 win that UK in a 2-0 hole.

Just as they have done all season, the Cats fought hard to get back in thematch. The game three comeback came as Eiserman took it upon herself tomake sure Kentucky’s day wouldn’t end in game three. The senior postedseven kills with no errors in the game. The Cats won the game 15-1, notcommitting a single hitting error and hitting at a .571 clip.

Things continue well for UK into game four as the two sides battled backand forth with no results through 13 sideouts before UK finally got on theboard. The Cats led as late as 10-7, but the Kentucky comeback died therewhen Arkansas went on an eight-point run to seal the match.

April Barnhorst came in off the bench in game two to record eight killsand no errors on 14 attacks for a game-high .571 hitting percentage.Santiago led Arkansas in the match with a double-double of 15 kills and 15digs.

The Cats will conclude their season next weekend when they travel toOrlando, where they will compete at Disney’s Wide World of Sports againstMarquette and South Florida on Nov. 26 and 27.

AGATE

Knoxville, Tenn. – Stokely Athletics Center – Attendance: 212

                                  Hit %#6 Kentucky   10   5   15   10   .158            #2 Arkansas   15   15   1   15   .200