Kentucky Adds Merideth Jewell for 2017

LEXINGTON, Ky. –
The Kentucky volleyball team welcomed Merideth Jewell to the program, head
coach Craig Skinner announced on Thursday. Jewell comes to UK from Morehead
State and has two years of eligibility remaining. She will be eligible to play in
2017.

Jewell racked up
multiple Ohio Valley Conference awards during her time with the Eagles. As a
freshman and sophomore, she was a two-time All-OVC team member and OVC Freshman
of the Year in 2015.

“Merideth is an
accomplished player and a great competitor,” Skinner said. “Her mentality and
love for the game will make an immediate impact on our program.”

During the 2016
campaign, she led Morehead State in kills at 3.50 per set. Her 431 kills were
good for third best in the OVC and 41st in the nation, producing double-digit
kill totals in 26 of 31 matches. Jewell was also stellar on defense, leading
the team in digs at 3.20 per set. The Mount Washington, Kentucky, native
recorded a career-high 26 terminations against Marist, and her career-best in scoops
was 22 vs. SIU-Edwardsville.

As a freshman,
Jewell ranked 17th in the country at 3.99 kills per set, helping her win
freshman of the year honors. She led the team in digs at 2.46 per set, and
recorded 52 blocks for the Eagles.

Highly touted out
of high school, Jewell was an Under Armour All-American. She won the
prestigious Miss Kentucky Volleyball award as a senior after leading Mercy
Academy in Louisville to a state championship in 2014. Her club squad
MidAmerica Volleyball Association placed fifth nationally, and she was a member
of the Women’s Junior National A2 team and was an A1 team alternate.

Follow along with the Cats on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and on
the web at UKathletics.com.