Every Tuesday, UK Athletics recognizes outstanding performances for our student-athletes.
These are the honorees for the week ending Sunday, Oct. 3:
Volleyball: Stephanie Klefot
Sophomore Stephanie Klefot has been a steady presence for the Blue and White at her libero position, and this week was no different. Klefot had match-highs in digs in both of UK’s matches and averaged 5.17 scoops per frame. Klefot averages 4.02 scoops per set for the season, so this week she picked up over 1.00 digs above her average. The sophomore has led the Wildcats in digs in 15 matches this season and has eclipsed the 10 or more dig mark in those same 15 matches for the year. In conference play she has totaled 15 or more digs in five of UK’s six matches played.
Women’s soccer: Caitlin Landis
Landis was responsible in some way for all of UK’s scoring this weekend assisting on the Wildcats goal in the 1-1 tie at No. 17 Georgia and scoring the game-winning goal at Tennessee. Landis finished with eight shots on the weekend pushing her team leading total to 37, the eighth most shots by a freshman in UK history. Landis played all 110 minutes against Georgia and 88 of 90 minutes against Tennessee.
Women’s soccer: Laura Novikoff
Laura Novikoff helped lead the Kentucky defense in holding the two highest scoring offenses in the SEC to just one goal on the weekend. Novikoff played the full 110 minutes of UK’s 1-1 tie at No. 17 Georgia winning 9-of-10 50/50 balls against the Bulldogs. Novikoff then helped lead the Wildcats to a 1-0 shutout victory at Tennessee, playing all 90 minutes. Novikoff also contributed on the offensive end assisting on the game-winning goal. The 6-3 defender won all eight 50/50 balls against the Lady Vols and finished 17-of-18 on the weekend in that stat category.
Volleyball: Lauren Rapp
Senior Lauren Rapp enjoyed another outstanding offensive performance for the Wildcats in their two matches this week. Rapp averaged 3.83 kills per frame on a blazing .419 hitting clip. Her 17 kills against Ole Miss is a season-high along with her .577 hitting percentage in the match. During conference play, Rapp leads the conference with a .435 hitting percentage. She paces UK’s squad with 3.08 kills per set while also leading the team in blocking with nearly a block per stanza. Her consistency has been evident, with Rapp posted at least four kills in every SEC match – and she has hit above .300 in every match but one against six SEC opponents.
Football: Ryan Tydlacka
Tydlacka punted four times for an average of 50.5 yards per punt, the best single-game average of his career. In the fourth quarter, he unleashed a 73-yard punt, the longest punt of his career and the fourth-longest in school history. The ball was downed on the three-yard line. The UK defense held there, forcing a punt and giving the Wildcats good field position for a 45-yard touchdown drive.
