Jan. 15, 2009

LEXINGTON, Ky. – After a bittersweet victory over Utah State (0-1, 0-0 WAC) during Excite Night, Kentucky (1-0, 0-0 SEC) looks to rebound in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Cats open their Southeastern conference slate against No. 6 Alabama (1-0, 1-0 SEC) on Fri., Jan. 16 at 8 p.m. ET in Coleman Coliseum.   

The Crimson Tide dominates the series with the Blue and White, never relinquishing a win. However, this year the Wildcats have added depth and difficulty to their routines in attempts to do what has never been done before at Kentucky, reach nationals. Alabama returns 11 members of last year’s squad, including five All-America selections, and add six freshmen. 

Bama is coming off a barely-there win against in-state rival Auburn with only a .025 difference separating the Tigers and Tide, 195.675-195.650.

In the Wildcats’ win against the Aggies, between junior Hillary Ferguson and senior Natalie Rubinstein the Blue and White captured all five possible titles. Ferguson, a Kentucky native, wowed the crowd and judges with her all-around performance, grabbing top-honors on vault, beam, floor and the all-around. Rubinstein landed a 9.850 on the uneven bars as well as her first career title after a two year hiatus from the competition scene. The Hollywood, Fla., native has made an incredible comeback after rehabbing a knee injury since 2006. 

Kentucky will continue SEC competition for the next six weeks.