Aug. 13, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Two University of Kentucky volleyball matches are slated to appear on a live national broadcast by ESPNU, it was announced Thursday.

The Wildcats are one of six Southeastern Conference teams set to appear on a live national broadcast in the 2009 season as a part of the new SEC/ESPN television deal.

This marks the first time in the history of the SEC that regular-season volleyball matches will be broadcast on an ESPN family network.

“We are really excited about the new SEC TV deal,” Kentucky head coach Craig Skinner said. “It gives Kentucky and SEC volleyball great national exposure.”

UK will face LSU in Baton Rouge, La., on Sept. 20 to kick off the 2009 ESPNU SEC volleyball slate. That match time is set for 3 p.m. ET.

The match with the Tigers will be the SEC opener for both squads. Kentucky will open the season with three tournaments and a pair of non-conference opponents prior to traveling to LSU.

Kentucky’s home match against border-state rival Tennessee on Oct. 21 is the final match of the ESPNU season. UK and the Lady Vols will face off at 7 p.m. ET in Memorial Coliseum.

The two squads split in their two meetings a season ago with both road teams claiming victory in 2008.

In addition to the ESPNU schedule, the league will announce more television appearances for volleyball in the upcoming days, expanding its coverage by almost triple than that of previous years.

Stay tuned to UKathletics.com for complete coverage of the Kentucky volleyball team.

SEC Volleyball ESPNU Television Schedule
Sun., 9/20 – Kentucky at LSU; 3 p.m. ET
Sun., 9/27 – Ole Miss at Tennessee; 5 p.m. ET
Wed., 10/7 – Florida at South Carolina; 7 p.m. ET
Sun., 10/11 – Florida at LSU; 7 p.m. ET
Wed., 10/21 – Tennessee at Kentucky; 7 p.m. ET