Nov. 5, 2009

Due to technical problems, we will not be streaming video live for tonight’s match. The video will, however, be captured and added to Extreme Access later.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The 11th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats return home to host Alabama Friday night at Memorial Coliseum. The match with the Crimson Tide marks the beginning of the final four regular season home matches of the season for the Blue and White. First serve is set for 7 p.m. ET.

UK has racked up a 49-8 record at home in its last four seasons and are in search of its 50th win at home in that span. In 2009, UK holds a 9-1 record in the friendly confines of Memorial Coliseum.

Sophomore Becky Pavan achieved a career-high .818 attacking percentage in UK’s win over Ole Miss on Sunday. Pavan posted nine kills with zero errors on the afternoon. Her classmate and fellow middle blocker, Gretchen Giesler matched a career-high with seven blocks as the UK squad was spectacular in all phases of the game in the victory over the Rebels.

Furthermore, in a victory over Arkansas last Friday the Wildcats had four players record over 10 or more kills in a match. It was the first time since Nov. 28, 2008 that UK had four different players have 10 or more kills in a match. Junior Sarah Mendoza posted a team-best 16 with Pavan notching 13. Junior Lauren Rapp and Giesler each had 10.

This marks the second meeting of the season between Kentucky and Alabama. The squads previously met on Oct. 18 with UK taking a 3-0 victory in Tuscaloosa. The Wildcats’ hot-hitting continued in SEC play as the squad registered its 18th match hitting above .200 and UK’s defensive effort at the net enabled the Wildcats to roll to its ninth-consecutive victory. Kentucky used a .381 attacking clip and forced Alabama into 19 hitting errors to earn its second straight sweep. Mendoza, Rapp and Blaire Hiler led the way offensively for the Wildcats. Mendoza charted a team-best 14 kills and Rapp chipped in with 11 on a .550 attack percentage. Hiler tallied eight on the day with an impressive .538 hitting clip.

The Crimson Tide holds a 7-17 overall record and a 5-9 clip in SEC action. Alabama has played a number of tough matches, including pushing Florida to a 33-31 third set in a loss to the Gators last weekend. The Tide is entering the matchup with Kentucky following a 3-1 victory over South Carolina on Sunday. Alabama is led by Brooks Webster who averages 2.27 kills per set and 0.58 blocks per frame after moving to her current middle blocker position.

For the most up-to-date news, highlights and features about the Kentucky volleyball team please visit UKathletics.com.

• Match Promotions:
  UK Alumni Association Night
  FREE blue & white wigs for the 1 st 50 UK Students