Nov. 3, 2011
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Riding a four-match winning streak the 19th-ranked Kentucky volleyball team is poised to host Mississippi State in Memorial Coliseum Friday at 7 p.m. ET. The Blue and White have charted a perfect 7-0 home record in the friendly confines of the Coliseum where UK is averaging more than 1,200 fans per match.
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| Kentucky vs. Mississippi State Fri., Nov. 4 – 7:00 p.m. ET Lexington, Ky. UK Match Notes  Memorial Coliseum Parking Info |
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The Wildcats own a 21-4 overall record and a 12-2 clip in Southeastern Conference action and have lost just twice since the month of August. UK is charting 14.10 kills per set with junior Ashley Frazier leading the way with 3.13 hammers per stanza. Kentucky’s balance continues to impress with six players averaging between 2.29 and 3.13 kills per set.
UK’s blocking has also been a key component to the team’s success this season as the Wildcats lead the league with 2.52 turn-backs per set. Senior Becky Pavan leads the way at the net for UK’s defensive effort with a block per frame.
Junior Stephanie Klefot was tabbed the SEC Defensive Player of the Week for the third time this season after averaging 5.75 digs per set in a pair of wins last week. Klefot has notched 10 or more digs in all but one match this season including seven matches with 10 or more scoops.
After earning an upset of Kentucky in the first meeting between the two squads, the Bulldogs have dropped five consecutive matches and own a 10-13 overall record and a 5-9 clip in league action.
Mississippi State is paced by 3.92 kills per set from Caitlin Rance as the Bulldogs chart 11.60 per frame. Lainey Wyman leads the defensive effort with 0.88 blocks per set.
The Kentucky volleyball team dropped a 3-0 (25-23, 25-18, 25-19) match before a record-crowd at Mississippi State in late October. The two teams squared off as the opening portion of Maroon Madness in the Humphrey Coliseum to set a new attendance record for Mississippi State.
The loss for the Blue and White came on the heels of an emotional five-set upset of No. 18 Tennessee two nights before. UK traveled to Mississippi State the next day and dropped its only match in the month of October to an inspired Bulldog squad.
Klefot totaled 16 digs and sophomore Whitney Billings added 14 for UK. Frazier led the offense with 15 kills. It marked the first loss of the season for UK when Frazier reaches double-figures in the kills column.
Mississippi State was enthused in front of its record crowd and limited Kentucky’s high-octane offense to a .141 attacking clip. The Bulldogs benefited from an off night at the net by UK’s blockers for 40 kills on .239 hitting. The leading blocking team in the SEC charted a mere five rejections on the night.
Kentucky’s Memorial Coliseum will play host to the NCAA Regionals Dec. 9-10. UK is one of four sites selected for Sweet 16 and Elite Eight matchups with one team advancing to the Final Four in San Antonio, Texas, from the Lexington Region.
Opening night matches are scheduled for 5 and 7 p.m. ET. Saturday’s final is set for a 4:30 p.m. ET first serve.
Tickets are now on sale through the UK Ticket Office. All-Session Tickets are reserved for all ages at $14. General Admission tickets for adults are priced at $12 and students or seniors’ general admission is slated for $8.
Single session tickets are priced at $8 for reserved for all ages. General admission for adults is priced at $7, with students and seniors priced at $5. Youth single session tickets are $4. For tickets or more information feel free to call, 1-800-928-CATS.
Visit UKathletics.com for the most up-to-date information on the UK volleyball team and all of Kentucky’s 22 teams.
