Every Tuesday, UK Athletics recognizes outstanding performances for our student-athletes. These are the honorees for the week ending Sunday, Sept. 18:
Volleball: Ann Armes
Senior Ann Armes provided the spark for the Blue and White in UK’s perfect 2-0 weekend. Armes was sensational both offensively and defensively. Armes posted a career-high seven rejections and added her third match with 10 or more kills in UK’s victory over Georgia to preserve Kentucky’s ninth consecutive victory. Armes struck for the 11 kills on a .450 hitting clip. In Kentucky’s victory over Auburn, Armes posted seven kills and did not commit an error with a .778 hitting percentage. Her two aces in the win over the Bulldogs was also a season-high. Only one other player has tallied seven or more blocks in a match this season for the Wildcats. Armes currently ranks second in the SEC in hitting percentage and sixth for blocks in conference matches.
Men’s tennis: Tom Jomby
Jomby went 3-1 at the Olympia Fields Invitational, including his first career win over a ranked foe at the collegiate level when he took down No. 28 Casey Watt of Notre Dame in dominating fashion 6-2, 6-0.
Volleball: Stephanie Klefot
Junior Stephanie Klefot posted a pair of 17-dig matches to help preserve UK’s unbeaten streak in the month of September. Klefot has now charted 10 or more digs in 12 matches this season and 50 in her career. With 34 digs this weekend, she moved into eighth place all-time at Kentucky with 1,062 career scoops. Furthermore, Klefot’s serve-receive line continues to be incredible. She received a team-high 42 serves in UK’s two victories and did not commit an error.
Men’s golf: Cody Martin
- Finished in second at the UK Bluegrass Fall Invitational with a final score of 1-over par.
- For the second-straight tournament, Martin led the Wildcats with the lowest score on the team.
- Led UK to the team title at the UK Bluegrass Fall Invitational.
Men’s tennis: Alex Musialek
Musialek had a great start to the fall season, earning two wins over ranked foes at the Olympia Fields Invitational. The senior defeated No. 113 Ben Chen of Texas and No. 45 Nick Andrews of California at the event. Musialek went 3-1 at the tournament with his only loss coming to No. 7 Dennis Nevolo.
Football: Morgan Newton
Set career highs by completing 27 of 41 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns.
Volleball: Lauren O’Conner
Freshman Lauren O’Conner continues to soar for the Wildcats, this time charting a team-high 22 kills and committing just four errors on 57 attempts in UK’s 2-0 week. O’Conner tallied a career-high 14 kills in UK’s victory over Georgia to keep UK’s record in the month of September unscathed. She also charted her first career service ace in the victory as well. Furthermore, O’Conner’s .364 hitting clip against Georgia matches a career-high. O’Conner has been a consistent performer for the Blue and White with at least seven or more kills in Kentucky’s nine consecutive victories. She has posted six matches with 10 or more kills in that stretch.
Cross country: Luis Orta
- Won the Tennessee Invitational, his second-consecutive first-place finish this season.
- Led the men’s team to its second team title in as many events this year.
Men’s soccer: Tyler Riggs
Sophomore star Tyler Riggs continued his breakout season with three goals during No. 29 UK’s conquest of the 2011 Gamecock Classic … Riggs led UK to a 2-1 win over High Point on Friday and a shelling of No. 15 Brown, 5-1 on Sunday … A native of Louisville, Ky., Riggs netted the first goal of the game vs. High Point on Friday, putting UK in position to win the Gamecock Classic with a match with Brown Sunday … Riggs led UK to the dominating win, netting two goals as UK posted its second win over a top-15 foe in 2011 … He sparked UK’s first five-goal outing since the season opener in 2008 … In the win Sunday vs. Brown, Riggs fired a six shots in just over 80 minutes, with all six coming on target … Riggs’ three goals came against two quality opponents, as No. 15 Brown finished in the NCAA Elite Eight in 2010 and High Point is coming off a 16-win season and an unbeaten slate in conference play … Through nine games, Riggs has an eye-popping eight goals and four assists, ranking among the NCAA leaders in goals scored … Riggs was honored with NSCAA Player of the Week, C-USA Offensive Player of the Week and Soccer America National Player of the week honors during the opening weekend after helping UK claim the 2011 UK Invitational Championship.
Men’s tennis: Anthony Rossi
Rossi, who is ranked No. 95 in the nation by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, had an impressive run to the Duke Fab Four singles title, earning arguably the best singles win of his career in the semifinals on Saturday when he took down Duke’s top-ranked player and No. 4-ranked Henrique Cunha. Rossi wrapped up the tournament with a dominating 6-3, 6-3 win over Luke Marchese to claim the tournament title.
