Franklin's Career Night Leads UK Volleyball Past Alabama

Emily Franklin has been best known for her blocking during her Kentucky volleyball career. But on Friday night, Franklin had a solid all-around match, including a career night in a pair of statistical categories.

Franklin, a fifth-year senior from Mesa, Arizona, set her career high in kills (14) and tied her career best in digs (six) as the 10th-ranked Wildcats topped Alabama 25-15, 23-25, 25-21, 25-20 inside Memorial Coliseum. With the win, the Wildcats are now 13-2 on the season and a perfect 4-0 in SEC play.

It was the 10th time in Franklin’s career that she notched at least 10 kills in a match, and the third time this season. She was efficient in her attacking, as the 14 kills came on 27 swings with just two errors, producing a .444 hitting percentage.

Kentucky head coach Craig Skinner continues to be impressed with Franklin’s improving game.

“She was big-time tonight offensively and had a couple of serving runs,” Skinner said. “She continues to get better, which is pretty amazing for a fifth-year senior.”

Franklin gave credit to freshman setter Madison Lilley for setting the tone early.

“Madison did a really good job of distributing the ball early and so then I was one-on-one the whole time,” Franklin said. “I was able to have really good visualization of the court.”

Lilley was also complimentary of Franklin.

“Emily works so hard and especially in transition,” Lilley said. “It’s really hard to be a middle and get up and kill a ball, and she’s amazing at that. It’s really fun playing with a middle like her. You can feel her presence on the floor.”

Franklin was pleased with her offense, but may have been just as proud of her career-high six digs.

“Before the game, we game planned that they were going to tip a lot if I was back row,” Franklin said. “So I was really prepared for the tips.”

Franklin, who already ranks third in Kentucky history in block assists during the 25-point rally scoring era, added to that total on Friday with five. Friday’s match was the 31st time in her career that Franklin had at least five blocks, and she now has 306 block assists during her career.

Franklin’s classmates Kaz Brown and Darian Mack also played key roles in the win for the Wildcats. Brown had 10 kills and five blocks while hitting .304, while Mack had eight kills and a .386 hitting percentage. 

Franklin spoke highly of her fellow seniors.

“I think the experience really gives us the upper hand,” she said. “I’ve been here for five years, them (Brown and Mack) for four and I think just playing over and over again with them, we know we can count on each other.”

Skinner also thought his seniors helped push the Wildcats through the tough SEC match.

“They’ve been playing very well in practice and the last couple of matches,” Skinner said. “They are very composed and know how to prepare themselves throughout the day prior to matches and it’s showing with their play.”

On Friday night, Franklin’s performance showed that she’s much more than just the blocker she’s known to be.