Sept. 10, 1999

CLEMSON, S.C. – Kentucky dropped its first match of the season on Friday night, falling 3-0 tothe nationally-ranked Clemson Tigers at Jervey Gym in Clemson, S.C. UK is now4-1 in ’99.

The Wildcats went into their match-up with the No. 18 Tigers looking to beatthe team for the second-straight year, but instead were ambushed by CU’s potentattack and played from behind the entire match. UK had been a perfect 6-0all-time versus the Tigers.

Clemson hit the Cats hard early, jumped out to a 12-0 lead in game one,en route to a 15-2 win. The usually strong Wildcat blocking game wasneutralized by 6-foot-3 Cindy Stern and 6-1 Mallory Benson who had three killsapiece in the opening game. UK recorded no blocks in the first game and wasout-hit by Clemson .500 to .038 in the game.

UK got its act together in game two, but couldn’t match Clemson’sfirepower, losing the game 15-9. Behind Jaclyn Homan’s active play at the net,the Cats got themselves back in the match with three team blocks and a moreeffective offensive attack. The Wildcats narrowed the hitting gap with a .158output compared to CU’s .220 in game two.

Senior Katie Eiserman and the Wildcats made things even morecompetitivein game three as the Cats got within 13-10 before losing the final two pointsand the game, 15-10. Eiserman played strong on the floor all night making somemiraculous digs as well as her usual offensive contributions. Eiserman totaledsix kills and a team-high seven digs. Freshman Kristen Batt led the way withseven kills as the Wildcats fought all night to mount a consistent attackagainst the Tigers. Clemson finished the night with a .366 hitting percentagewhile UK could only raise its mark to .190.

The Cats will look to regroup against the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame tomorrowafternoon at 2 p.m.

AGATE

Clemson, S.C.
Jervey Gym
Attendance: 902
Clemson def. Kentucky 15-2, 15-9, 15-10