Nov. 1, 2002
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky volleyball team won an exciting Southeastern Conference match over Mississippi State, 3-0, on Friday, Nov. 1 at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Ky. Sarah Spinner fired off 18 kills while collecting 14 digs to lead her team in the win.
Kentucky (10-12, 4-7 SEC) also received excellent play from Amy Kaplan, who recorded nine kills on .421 hitting and four blocks. Kaplan’s nine kills matched her career high, while Spinner sailed a season-best four aces over the net. The Cats received strong defensive play from Aleisha Craven with 13 digs. MSU was led by Jennifer Rousey with 12 kills on .321 hitting.
Senior Kristen Batt also had a double-double with 12 kills and 14 digs, moving her within eight digs of the 1,000 career mark. Should Batt reach feat this season, she will become only the third player in school history to finish her career with 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs, joining current UK assistant coach Katie Eiserman and Lisa Bokovoy.
After close play early in game one, Mississippi State (10-15, 1-10 SEC) pulled out to 19-14 lead. UK was able to cut the lead to two several times before a 3-0 run game UK the 29-28 advantage. The Bulldogs evened it again at 29, but UK took two-in-a-row for the 31-29 victory.
Kentucky opened the second game with a 6-2 run, but the Dogs were able to cut it to one at 13-12. The Cats continued to fire back, however, building to a seven-point advantage at 28-21 before closing out the go-ahead game, 30-23, for a 2-0 lead at the half.
The UK squad took a commanding 7-1 lead to start the third game, an edge that it held for much of the way before a 7-0 MSU run cut the deficit to one at 26-25. Mississippi State came within one again at 28-27, but two quick points handed Kentucky the win, 30-27.
Kentucky now holds a 27-1 advantage in the series, which dates back to the 1980 season. UK has taken the last nine consecutive contests.
UK returns to action on Sunday, Nov. 3, when it plays host to Ole Miss at 2 p.m. The match serves as senior day for Batt, Craven, Anne Koester and Toni Lee, who will be honored in a pre-match ceremony.
