April 27, 2010
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky coach Craig Skinner and the Kentucky volleyball team have never shied away from challenging spring schedules and the 2010 spring was no different. The Wildcats set out over a month ago to face a number of top-25 programs to continue to test the team in its quest to continue to rise among the ranks of elite programs in the country.
Saturday in Memorial Coliseum the Wildcats concluded its spring slate with Atlantic Coast Conference member Georgia Tech and Big 10 member Purdue.
The three squads were all NCAA Tournament teams from a season ago and have promising outlooks for the 2010 fall campaign. Kentucky earned a win over Georgia Tech, while falling to Purdue in four close sets.
In the opening match Kentucky was able to pull off a five-set win over Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets opened up with a 25-23 set one victory, but UK roared back for a 25-21 set two win to even the match. Georgia Tech took the lead with a 25-16 win in the third frame, but it was all Kentucky from there. UK forced a deciding fifth set with a 25-20 fourth set victory. In the decisive fifth set, UK claimed a 15-10 win.
UK faced Purdue in the final match of the day. The Boilermakers opened competition with a 25-18 first set win. UK claimed the second set with a 25-23 score. In a competitive third set, Purdue edged the Wildcats by a 28-26 margin and then claimed the match with a fourth set 25-21 win.
“Although we were not entirely pleased with the results this weekend, we continue to be pleased with the ability to showcase a number of different lineups and gain valuable experience for the fall,” Skinner said. “Purdue and Georgia Tech will both be in line to compete for their respective conference championship, and I expect them to be top-20 programs this season.”
The Wildcats will open the 2010 fall campaign as a part of the Runza/AVCA Showcase in Lincoln, Neb., Aug. 27-28. UK will be a part of a four-team showcase to open the 2010 season along with Nebraska, Iowa State and Florida. Kentucky will face the Cornhuskers and Cyclones that weekend beginning on Friday, Aug. 27.
Follow along with the Wildcats on UKathletics.com all year long for the most up to date information, stats and releases.
