No. 24 Kentucky to Host Rival Louisville Sunday

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 24 Wildcats volleyball team returns home on Sunday, rounding out its non-conference schedule with a marquee matchup against rival Louisville at 2 p.m.

The Wildcats enter Sunday with back-to-back wins after taking down Xavier in four sets, 3-1 (22-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-20), in which the team’s sophomores paved the way. UK’s four sophomores posted six or more kills to ignite the offensive effort, while sophomore Ashley Dusek had 22 digs and Kaz Brown led the way at the net with eight blocks. 

Louisville enters the afternoon sitting at 6-3 on the season, in the midst of a four-match winning streak, most recently defeating Cincinnati in four sets Friday night.  The Cards are paced by Erin Faris (3.81 kills/set, 1.36 digs/set) and Janelle Jenkins (3.00 kills/set, 0.86 blocks/set).

Watch Louisville vs. No. 24 Kentucky |Live Stats | Kentucky Match Notes

Fans are encouraged to wear white for Sunday afternoon’s “White Out” match. In addition to the White Out, the first 750 fans will receive a “This is Our House” UK volleyball t-shirt!

The Kentucky volleyball team is looking to Pack the House against Louisville on Sunday afternoon, and they need your help! Present the flyer below and pay just $1 for general admission! 

Upon arrival, fans should head to the marketing gazebo upon entry to Memorial Coliseum and fill out a form for a chance to win a free moped. Anyone can enter to win the moped and additional prizes throughout the match. Fans must register the barcode located on the back of the key tags given away at the marketing gazebo. In order to be placed in the drawing, fans must attend at least seven matches. For each additional match attended, that fan will earn one extra entry into the drawing. The moped winner will be selected at the Auburn match on the Nov. 27. 

We are pleased to offer new parking opportunities this season. In addition to the E lots around the Craft Center and Coal Lodge, fans have the option of parking in the Liden Walk E lots which are across Rose Street from the Singletary Center for the Arts, the E/CS-7 lots near the College of Education off of S. Upper Street, and the Rose Street Garage (PS-2) located on Rose Street, south of the Coliseum with an entrance on Hilltop Avenue near W.T. Young Library. These lots are available for all matches starting three hours before first serve. For our marquee match-ups, including contests with Michigan State, Louisville, Mississippi State, Florida, and Texas A&M, the Limestone Street Garage (PS-5) will also be available. Fans are reminded to never park in lots or spaces designated R for residential and that the Student Center lot is no longer an option due to construction. Parking is limited and fans are encouraged to arrive early.

Premier Sports Management, Inc., announced the candidates for the 2015 Senior Class Award on Wed., Sept. 9, with Kentucky senior setter Morgan Bergren being tabbed as one of the 30 candidates for the annual honor. Bergren is one of six players on the list to have garnered All-America honors by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) in 2014 and is one of 25 candidates to hold a 3.0 GPA or higher. A national media committee narrows this field to 10 finalists per sport approximately eight weeks before the NCCA championship. Public fan voting on the Senior CLASS Award website takes place each year during the month leading up to the NCAA Championship.

Sophomore libero Ashley Dusek leads the Southeastern Conference with a staggering 4.92 digs per set –  0.30 digs ahead of Bridgette Villano of Tennessee. Dusek’s 4.92 digs per set also ranks No. 47 in the nation.

Sophomore Sharay Barnes had a breakout performance during the Shocker Volleyball Classic, making starts against both Wichita State and Northern Illinois. In nine sets played, the outside hitter/middle blocker tallied 28 kills, while setting single match highs in kills, with 16 against Wichita State, and hitting percentage, going .600 against Northern Illinois.

Despite dropping the match in three sets, the Kentucky front line came to play against No. 7 Illinois, tying the record for block assists in a three set match during the 25-point rally scoring era with 26. Sophomore Kaz Brown led the team with a career-high-tying eight block assists, while freshman Brooke Morgan followed with a career-high six. Sophomore Emily Franklin tied her season best, registering five in the effort. Senior setter Morgan Bergren (3), sophomore Darian Mack (2) and freshman Anna Nyberg (2) all made multiple blocks as well.

Following the Sept. 11 weekend, the Kentucky Wildcats found themselves still ranked in the Sept. 14 AVCA poll, coming in tied at 24th. With the ranking, UK extends its ranking streak to 36 consecutive weeks, dating back to Aug. 18, 2012. The 36-week streak is the longest ranked streak under head coach Craig Skinner.

Kentucky’s Memorial Coliseum will play host to the NCAA Regionals Dec. 11-12. UK is one of four sites selected for the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight matchups with one team advancing to the Final Four in Omaha, Neb., from the Lexington Region. This marks the third time in five seasons Memorial Coliseum will host this premier volleyball event.

For the latest on the Kentucky volleyball team, follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and on the web at UKathletics.com.