UK volleyball extends two winning streaks in sweep of Arkansas
The University of Kentucky volleyball team got a chance to show its stuff in front of a national TV audience on ESPNU on Wednesday night, and the Wildcats did not disappoint.
The Southeastern Conference-leading Wildcats opened a stretch of three consecutive road games by sweeping past Arkansas 25-18, 25-15, 25-13 at Fayetteville, Ark.
The win was the 18th in a row for Kentucky (21-4 overall, 15-0 SEC) this season and its 16th straight over Arkansas. The Razorbacks dropped to 11-14 and 5-10.
“Very pleased with our focus and executing the game plan as the match went along,” UK head coach Craig Skinner said. in a news release. “We were very efficient offensively and put a lot of stress on Arkansas with very few hitting errors.”
Junior All-American and Lexington native Leah Edmond led the charge for the Wildcats at the net, recording a match-high 12 kills to go along with two blocks. Freshman Alli Stumler also rang up double-digit kills with 10 and led Wildcats servers with three aces. Junior Caitlyn Cooper added nine kills. Sophomore Madison Lilley set up the Cats’ offense with 39 assists and also contributed six digs.
Kentucky’s winning streak has been met with a steady climb in the national rankings as postseason play approaches. With three games remaining in the regular season, the Wildcats are ranked No. 11 in the nation in the coaches’ poll and No. 8 in the RPI.
The Wildcats, who advanced to the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight last season, have regular-season games remaining at Missouri on Sunday, at South Carolina on Nov. 21 and at home against Auburn for Senior Day on Nov. 24.
The NCAA Tournament selection show is scheduled for Nov. 25 at 8:30 p.m. and will be televised on ESPNU. The Wildcats are not only vying for an SEC championship but are hoping to earn hosting rights for at least the first two rounds of the postseason.
Next game
No. 11 Kentucky at No. 23 Missouri
When: 4 p.m. Sunday
TV: SEC Network