Nov. 21, 2009
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LEXINGTON, Ky. – Following a critical Southeastern Conference showdown between the nationally-ranked Kentucky and Florida volleyball teams at 2 p.m. EST, the undefeated UK Hoops team welcomes Chattanooga to Memorial Coliseum Sunday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast live on the Big Blue Sports Radio Network (radio).
While the volleyball team looks to capture its first SEC title since 1988, the basketball Wildcats (3-0) look to remain undefeated and chart their eighth consecutive win over the Lady Mocs. Sunday’s matchup marks the fourth meeting between the teams in the last five years but the first regular-season game since the 1980-81 season. The last three matchups have been in postseason play.
“Sunday we play a good Chattanooga team,” UK Hoops Coach Matthew Mitchell said. “They are one of the best programs in the Southern Conference and are always a very tough game to prepare for. We have played them a few times over the years and they look very tough this year. They will give us a lot to prepare for. We have come through the span of three games in five days well and were able to get a day off. Coming back to practice the players seem to be excited for the challenge of Chattanooga.”
Last year, UK defeated the Lady Mocs in the opening round of the WNIT, 81-76, in overtime. UK also met UTC in the WNIT during the 2005 season, winning 91-54 in the second round and the following year, earned a 69-59 win over the Lady Mocs in the second round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament.
“We have played them in the post season mainly, but this particular series is this year in Lexington and then next year in Chattanooga with hopes to bring Carly Morrow back to her hometown,” Mitchell said. “That is why we are playing them in the regular season this year and also because they are a very good team. We will have to play well to win and that is good for us heading forward.”
The Wildcats are coming off a stretch that saw them play three games in five days. Despite the quick turnaround, the Cats are off to their best start since 2005-06. In the 72-55 win over Morehead State, freshman guard A’dia Mathies (Louisville, Ky.) posted a career-high 18 points after hitting a career-best three three-pointers. Junior point guard Amber Smith (Winter Haven, Fla.) followed with 15 points while All-SEC forward Victoria Dunlap (Nashville, Tenn.) continued to dominate the glass, pulling down a game-high 16 rebounds to go along with 12 points. It marked her third consecutive double-double. Junior guard Carly Morrow (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and senior guard Amani Franklin (Stone Mountain, Ga.) rounded out the double-figure column, recording 11 points and 12 rebounds, respectively.
Chattanooga (1-2) travels to Lexington after a 74-57 loss to No. 16 Georgia at home on Thursday. Shanara Hollinquest, the 2009 SoCon Player of the Year, led the Lady Mocs with 20 points and 11 rebounds for her second double-double of the season.
All single-game and season tickets for Sunday’s volleyball and women’s basketball contests will be honored for admission to both events. Seats at volleyball are general admission while seating for women’s basketball is reserved in both the lower and upper levels on the West side of the Arena, sections A-J and AA through JJ, as well as lower level East Side, sections R-Z. General admission seating also is available for women’s basketball in sections RR-ZZ.
Single-game general admission tickets for women’s basketball are just $5 for adults and $2 for senior citizens and children 6-18. Ages five and under are admitted free. UK students, faculty and staff also are admitted free with valid identification based on availability.
Fans are encouraged to park in Parking Structure 5 located next to Kennedy’s Bookstore with accessible entrances located on South Limestone Street or South Upper Street. Parking Structure 5 will be available free of charge. A shuttle bus service, also free of charge, begins one hour prior to the volleyball match until one hour after the women’s basketball game. Go to the third floor to access the sky bridge over Limestone. The shuttle picks up on Administration Drive at the end of the sky bridge and will drop spectators off on Euclid Avenue in front of Memorial Coliseum.
Additional game-day parking is available in the E lots surrounding Memorial Coliseum including:
- Rose St. Parking Lot
- Martin Luther King Parking Lot
- Student Center Parking Lot
- Good Samaritan Parking Lot (accessible via MLK Drive)
- Hardymon Parking Lot
For ticket information, log on to ukathletics.com or call the UK ticket office at 859-257-1818 or 1-800-928-CATS (2287).
