Every Tuesday, UK Athletics recognizes outstanding performances for our student-athletes.
These are the honorees for the week ending Sunday, Sept. 26:
Volleyball: Stephanie Klefot
Sophomore Stephanie Klefot was outstanding for UK in the back row in a tough 1-1 weekend on the road in the SEC. Klefot has led the Blue and White in digs in 13 matches this season – including both this weekend. She also tallied the most digs in the match in both of UK’s matches this weekend. Against Auburn she had a match-high 17 digs, and then totaled a match-high 21 in a win over Georgia. The 21 digs against the Tigers is the sixth time in her career – and fourth time this season she has tallied over 20 or more scoops in one contest. For the season she averages 3.90 digs per set to lead the Wildcats. In just two seasons, Klefot has 552 career digs – more than halfway to the century mark.
Football: Chris Matthews
Wide receiver Chris Matthew caught, six catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns.
Men’s tennis: Eric Quigley
Junior Eric Quigley, ranked eighth in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association preseason singles poll, went 3-0 in group play to advance to the championship match of the USTA Wildcard Shootout before falling to No. 9 Alex Lacroix from Florida. Quigley advanced to group play with a 6-7 (9), 6-4, 6-4 win over Raymond Sarmiento from Southern California. The native of Pewee Valley, Ky., won his quarterfinal match in the shootout over USTA junior Alexios Halebian 11-9 and then took down No. 26 Dennis Nevolo of Illinois in the semifinals 10-5 to advance to the championship. The ninth-ranked Lacroix defeated Quigley 10-6 in the championship. Quigley went 5-1 over the weekend.
Volleyball: Lauren Rapp
Senior Lauren Rapp continues to be a presence in her new position at middle blocker for the Wildcats. Rapp has started every game for UK this season and was simply spectacular this weekend in UK’s 1-1 tough road swing in SEC action. Rapp struck for 27 kills on a blazing .438 hitting clip. In 48 attempts, Rapp committed just six errors. For the weekend she averaged 2.70 kills per set as a middle blocker and then was also sensational at the net. Kentucky’s leading blocker for the season, Rapp posted eight turn-backs including five in the win at Georgia. Rapp helped UK’s defense force a combined 49 attacking errors by Auburn and Georgia in the two matches. Rapp earlier went over 1,000 kills for her career and this weekend struck for her 1,100th. She also moved into third all-time in UK history with 371 block assists – just 29 shy of the 400 mark.
Men’s soccer: Ellis Vienne
Kentucky freshman Ellis Vienne had a breakout week for the Kentucky men’s soccer team, helping UK take Michigan to overtime on Wednesday and helping the Wildcats post a 2-1 double overtime win over Evansville on Sunday … In just his third career collegiate game on Wednesday at U-M, Vienne charted a heroic goal with just 46 seconds left in regulation, evening the game at 2-2 and sending it to overtime … On Sunday, Vienne got UK on the board with a goal in the 25th minute, setting the stage for UK’s win over Evansville, the NCAA’s top scoring offense entering the game … In just for games, Vienne has netted two goals to lead UK in scoring, firing seven shots – four coming on goal.
