Oct. 12, 2001
Lexington, Ky. – The University of Kentucky volleyball team fell to Alabama, 3-0, on Friday, Oct. 12, at Memorial Coliseum. The loss dropped the Cats (8-7, 2-4 Southeastern Conference) to a game and a half behind the Crimson Tide (11-5, 4-3 SEC) in the league.
Sophomore Kristi Kelley earned her first start of the season after senior Whitney Sample suffered a break in her pinky finger during Thursday night’s practice. The Arlington, Texas, native underwent surgery on Friday morning to repair the finger and could practice as early as next week. Kelley dished out a season-high 30 assists to lead the Wildcats.
Erin Price and Erin Heffner paced the Crimson Tide in game one with four kills each as the Tide claimed the 30-24 win. Anne Koester and Sarah Spinner led UK with three kills apiece as Kelley dished out nine assists.
Kentucky had an opportunity to tie the match in game two as the Tide hit just .047, but Bama hit some key shots down the stretch to take it 30-28. UA kept the heat on to take game three 30-22 to close out the match. For the match, UK was out hit .171 to .069, while Spinner led the Cats’ offensive effort with nine kills and five digs. Lauren Speelman collected 13 digs, and Kristen Batt tallied seven kills.
UK returns to the court on Sunday, Oct. 14, when they play host to Auburn at 2 p.m. UK will celebrate 25 years of volleyball with an alumni reunion preceding the match.
Game Scores
Game One – UA 30, UK 24
Game Two – UA 30, UK 28
Game Three – UA 30, UK 22
