November 5, 1998

The University of Kentucky volleyball team (15-9, 6-5 SEC) will attempt to regroup and end a two-match losing skid this weekend when they play in two key SEC eastern division match-ups with Georgia and South Carolina. The Wildcats will face the Lady Bulldogs of Georgia (6-13, 4-6 SEC) on Friday, Nov. 6 in Athens. This will mark the 33rd time the Cats and Dawgs have battled. The two squads squared off earlier this season, when the Dawgs played the spoiler, defeating the Cats in straight sets, 6-15, 8-5, 13-15, at Memorial Coliseum.

“We are definitely looking forward to playing Georgia again,” UK coach Jona Braden said. “After a great win over South Carolina [in October], we didn’t play Georgia as well as we could have. This is a great chance for us to get better and grow as a team.”

Kentucky attempts to sweep the season series with South Carolina (18-5, 6-4 SEC) on Sunday, Nov. 8, when they travel to Columbia. UK defeated the Lady Gamecocks in a tough match earlier this season in four games, 15-12, 15-13, 13-15, 15-13. The Wildcats hold an 11-6 series advantage, but have not beaten South Carolina on the road since 1993. “We have such respect for that program,” Braden said. “This will be an excellent challenge that will allow us to see where we are competitively in the SEC.”

The Wildcats will conclude their regular season next week with a pair of top-25 opponents. Kentucky will travel to Louisville on Wed., Nov. 11, to take on the No. 25 Cardinals at 7 p.m. The final home match of the year comes on Sat., Nov. 14, as the Wildcats take on the No. 6 Florida Gators on Senior Night at Memorial Coliseum.