Oct. 9, 2002
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky volleyball team lost a rematch with South Carolina, 3-0, Wednesday, Oct. 9, in Memorial Coliseum, despite a tenacious effort in the final game.
Leading the UK offense for the second match in a row was freshman Amy Kaplan, who put down six kills while hitting .455 on the night. The starter also recorded four digs and four blocks. The Kentucky squad showed a balanced offensive effort with all six starters contributing more in the kills column. Defensively, Sissy Canfield’s five blocks were tops for her team, while Kristen Batt’s 11 digs led all Wildcats.
Niece Curry paced the South Carolina squad with 14 kills, while libero Yajaira Cadet took care of the ball on the other half of the court, tallying 14 digs to lead three defenders with double-figure digs. Kentucky hit just .189 as a team to USC’s .264.
UK got behind early after a 30-23 loss in game one. The Cats managed to chip the lead to five at 25-20, but were unable to close the deal, giving USC the early 1-0 lead in the match. Game two saw South Carolina hit very well, posting a .324 hitting percentage. The Cats were down by six many times, but tied the match at 23, before a lethal Gamecock offense but the finishing touches on the 30-25 win to give USC a 2-0 lead entering halftime.
The third game proved to be the most exciting for Wildcat fans as UK jutted out to a 7-2 lead forcing the Gamecocks to talk it over. Kentucky continued to dominate the game, stretching the lead to six at 18-12. But South Carolina wouldn’t go away quietly, fighting back to tie the game at 24. After breaking through many ties, the Gamecocks pulled two quick points out and won the game on a UK hitting error, 32-30.
The loss gives USC a narrow 14-13 advantage in the series as the Gamecocks have taken the last six matches in the series.
UK returns to action on Friday, Oct. 11, when they face the Tennessee Volunteers at 7 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum. The match is a prelude to “Big Blue Madness,” UK’s tip-off to the 2002-03 basketball season.
