Defense Carries Volleyball Cats Past SEMO

When it comes to nearly any sporting event, the old cliché is that defense wins championships. In Friday night’s first round at Memorial Coliseum, ninth-seeded Kentucky followed that pattern on the way to a sweep of Southeast Missouri.

The Cats had eight blocks in three sets and registered 51 digs on their way to win number 24 on the season. Senior Caitlyn Cooper and junior Kendyl Paris led the way with five block assists each. Cooper knew that it was important for the Cats to not overlook SEMO.

“Craig (Skinner) talks about, take it one day at a time,” Cooper said. “I feel like, during the tournament, that’s when it’s most important. So you can’t look in the future who you want to play or who you’re going to play. So, just taking it one day at a time and one team at a time (is important).”

Skinner liked his team’s defensive effort.

“”We had to make defensive plays as well,” Skinner said. “They had 55 digs and we ended up doubling them up in blocks. So I think it was important to be able to get some key blocks at times. Cait (Cooper) has a couple of crucial blocks to stop some runs.”

Skinner knows how crucial defense can be at in the postseason.

“Playing really good defense in the tournament is really important,” he said.

As usual, Leah Edmond paced the Cats, registering 18 kills against just three errors on 37 swings (.405). Sophomore Alli Stumler continued to give the Cats solid play, notching 12 kills with three errors on 42 attacks (.214).

Leading the offense was junior setter Madison Lilley, who had a double-double with 33 assists and 10 digs in the match. Junior libero Gabby Curry had 15 digs, five assists and a pair of aces as UK advanced.

Kentucky advances to Saturday’s second round, where they will face Michigan, who swept Northern Kentucky in Friday’s first match. Skinner knows that the Wolverines will pose a huge challenge for the Cats.

“Yeah, they’re a good team, they have a couple of good left sides who take rips and they’re a very aggressive, attacking team, they have good arms and, obviously, experience,” Skinner said. “Good players who have been in the league for a while and played against good competition. They play pretty loose, pretty relaxed and so we’ll have to play physical, play aggressive and expect a back-and-forth match.”

As for his team, Skinner knows they will come into the match loose, but also with a winning mindset.

“I don’t think this team has any problem staying relaxed and having a good time,” Skinner said. “They’re loose and they have a good time and they enjoy each other’s company and this team has bonded pretty well together. And when the whistle blows, they’ll be ready to fight.”

That fight, and the UK defense, could be key to beating Michigan in Saturday’s second round match.