Sept. 13, 2003
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky volleyball team added another win to their record with a 3-0 sweep against Wright State on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Coliseum in the second day of the Kentucky Conference Challenge. The win marks the Wildcats’ seventh in a row and moves UK’s season record to 7-1.
“Our team really seemed focused and in control today,” Coach Jona Braden said. “We seem to be executing our offense well and I’m proud of the effort we gave this afternoon.”
Kentucky was lead by junior Sarah Spinner, who tallied 13 kills and seven digs, while freshman Jenni Casper continued her excellent defense with 20 digs to lead all competitors. Kentucky hit .285 on the match to WSU’s .087.
The Wildcats dominated the first game from start to finish. Sissy Canfield started a 4-0 run with the first kill of the stanza. Kentucky capitalized on Wright State’s eight errors for the game. With Jenni Casper’s 11 digs and Sarah Spinner’s four kills, Kentucky won the first game by a score of 21-11.
Game two marked another victory for the Wildcats. Kentucky, off to a slow start, would soon break away with four consecutive serves from freshman Melissa Popp to give the Cats a 14-11 edge. Popp was the leading scorer for UK in game two with five points, while Sissy Canfield and Sarah Spinner led the Cats in kills with eight apiece. Eleven assists from Leigh Marcum aided in the 30-21 victory.
Errors in the start of the third game would plague the Wildcats. At 5-5, a kill by Amy Kaplan sparked a 3-0 run for Kentucky. A kill by Sarah Spinner at 16-14 would spark another five-point run for the Wildcats.
Kentucky’s outstanding team play would out-block the Raiders 7-2.
Kentucky has not lost since the season opener against Wake Forest on Aug. 30. The seven-game win streak is the longest for the UK program since the Wildcats won eight in a row from Oct. 29-Nov. 26, 1993.
The Wildcats return to the court at 7 p.m. Saturday against Virginia for the tournament championship.
