Sept. 21, 1999
The UK Volleyball team exorcised some demons on Tuesday night as the Wildcats downed the Redbirds of Louisville for the first time since 1993, a streak spanning ten matches. The Wildcats (7-4) were led by senior Jaclyn Homan’s double-double effort of 21 kills and 15 digs. Both marks are season-highs.
After UK won the opening game 15-13, Louisville (3-7) took a 2-1 lead in the match with wins of 15-10 and 15-13. Sonja Percan spurred the Cardinals comeback with her powerful right arm as she totaled a game-high 32 kills.
Inspired by rousing defensive play by everyone on the Wildcats side of the net, UK got back in the match with an emotional 15-12 win in game four. The Cats carried the momentum into the fifth game, winning the deciding frame 15-10.
The Cardinals pounded the ball all night, as demonstrated by the team total of 77 kills, but the Wildcats were up to the task as they weathered the U of L hitting storm with a season-high total of 87 team digs. Three Cats Homan, Megan Weiskircher and Aleisha Craven tied or set career-highs for digs in the match.
Weiskircher was a major contributor in all facets of the game as she was a force at the net with 7 block assists, delivered 16 kills, and totaled a career-high 17 digs for her second double-double of the year. Homan added seven total blocks on one solo and six assists.
“Jaclyn really took a lead role in tonights match,” said UK coach Jona Braden. “She and the rest of the team have made a conscious effort to put everything out there when they hit the court and their hard work showed tonight. This is a big win for us.”
In addition to Homan and Weiskircher, senior Katie Eiserman (13 kills, 15 digs) also produced a double-double. Sophomore setter Whitney Sample had the Wildcat transition game clicking all night as she dished out a season-high 56 assists while Craven solidified the back-row defense all evening with 17 digs. Junior Stacey Wallace, in her first start of the season, also aided the defensive cause with 12 digs. Ten different Wildcats have now started matches in ’99.
The next action for UK will this weekend as the SEC schedule opens up for the Cats at South Carolina on Sept. 24 and at Georgia on Sept. 26.
AGATE
Lexington, Ky.
Memorial Coliseum
Attendance: 315
Kentucky def. Louisville, 15-13, 10-15, 13-15, 15-12, 15-10
