[B]Squads have split meetings in previous two seasons[/B]
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Following three consecutive victories the Kentucky volleyball is set to play host to instate rival Louisville, Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET. The match will air live on Fox Sports South in the states of Kentucky and North Carolina with Dick Gabriel and Kathy DeBoer calling the action.
Kentucky (5-2) captured the Kentucky Classic crown with three terrific performances against Western Kentucky, Ohio and Virginia Tech. UK did not drop a set in any match this weekend and were led by the play of Stephanie Klefot the tournament’s most valuable player. Klefot averaged 5.25 digs per set in the three matches.
Setter Christine Hartmann and outside hitter Lauren O’Conner were also named to the All-Tournament team after stellar performances. Hartmann dished out 30 or more assists in all three matches and directed four players to 2.50 kills per set or more.
O’Conner had a breakout performance reaching double-figure kill efforts in all three matches including a career-high 13 in the clinching victory over Virginia Tech. O’Conner paced the attack with a 3.09 kill per set average for the weekend.
Louisville enters the matchup with Kentucky owning a 5-1 record after a perfect 3-0 weekend on its home floor this past weekend.
The Cardinals are led by 4.71 kills per set from Lola Arslanbekova. As a unit, Louisville charts 13.62 kills per set while limiting opponents to 9.43 hammers per stanza.
Louisville owns a slight edge in the all-time series with UK with a 24-23 mark. The two teams have split their last two meetings in the previous two seasons with the home team winning. Both matches have needed five sets to determine a winner.
Parking is available in all surrounding E-Lots (Employee Lots) adjacent to Memorial Coliseum, beginning two and a half hours prior to any home UK volleyball match.
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. Tickets are on sale now through the UK Ticket Office.
Source: UK Press Release
