UK volleyball clinches another SEC title while its junior star makes history

It was a historic afternoon for the University of Kentucky volleyball team on Sunday in Missouri.

The 11th-ranked Wildcats knocked off the 23rd-ranked Tigers in straight sets (25-17, 25-22, 25-18) to clinch at least a share of the seventh regular-season Southeastern Conference championship in program history. It was Kentucky’s 19th straight win and eighth sweep in a row. The Wildcats improved to 22-4 on the season, remaining undefeated in the SEC at 16-0, while Missouri fell to 22-7 (12-5 SEC).

“Just an amazing offensive performance with a championship on the line,” said UK Coach Craig Skinner after the match, according to a news release from the school. “This team continues to impress us with their relentless commitment to improve. We still have a way to go, but we won this championship with our work ethic and drive.”

The UK offense was sparked once again by junior star Leah Edmond, who became Kentucky’s all-time kills leader during the match, passing up Whitney Billings (2010-13). Edmond finished with 21 kills. Edmond had a career-high 26 kills in Kentucky’s win over Missouri in Memorial Coliseum earlier this season.

Freshman Alli Stumler made a major impact on offense as well, notching 15 kills for the second time in three matches. It’s her third straight match with double-digit kills. Sophomore Madison Lilley came up with her ninth double-double of the year, finishing with 40 assists and 10 digs.

Kentucky will look to win the league outright on Wednesday when they travel to South Carolina. UK swept the Gamecocks in Memorial Coliseum in late October. The Wildcats will finish up their regular-season slate at home on Saturday when they’ll celebrate Senior Day and face Auburn at 1 p.m.

Next match

Kentucky at South Carolina

7 p.m. Wednesday