October 2, 1998

LEXINGTON, Kty. – The University of Kentucky volleyball team (11-5, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-11, 0-3 SEC) Friday night in four games, 15-5, 13-15, 15-12, 16-14.

The Wildcats had a balanced attack, notching 20 team blocks against four for the Bulldogs and having four players tallying double-figures in kills. Junior outside hitter Katie Eiserman recorded a double-double, racking up 15 kills and 10 digs in the match. Senior middle blocker Jenny Muzzey had a big night for the Cats, recording 14 kills, 13 total blocks and a .308 hitting percentage in the winning effort against the Bulldogs. Whitney Sample, a freshman setter from Arlington, Texas, made her first collegiate start against Mississippi State and contributed 55 assists and eight digs for the Wildcats. She will take over at the setter’s spot for junior Terri Crabb, who is out for the season after tearing the ACL in her right knee during Wednesday night’s match with Louisville.

“This was a great fight,” UK coach Jona Braden said. “Whitney stepped in and did a great job for us. The whole group gave a tough fight and it was a great maturing moment for us to come back the way we did.”

MSU was led by sophomore Christine Owen. The outside hitter recorded a double-double with 19 kills and 12 digs. Junior outside hitter Melanie DiMuzio also made an impressive showing for the Bulldogs, notching 14 kills and 10 digs in the losing effort against Kentucky.

The Wildcats will return to action on Sunday, October 4, when they host the Rebels of Ole Miss. This will mark the 26th meeting between Kentucky and Ole Miss with UK holding a 19-6 series edge. The match is set to begin at 2 p.m. in UK’s Memorial Coliseum.