Alabama
Kentucky
Volleyball Nipped by No. 22 Wildcats
10/26/2008 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 26, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama volleyball team was edged in its second close match of the weekend by No. 22 Kentucky Sunday at the CAVE 3-0. In similar fashion to Friday's contest with Tennessee, the match was decided by only nine points. The Wildcats closed out the first set with a 25-23 win followed by a score of 25-22 in the second and 25-21 in the third. Alabama slips to 10-10 overall and 3-8 in Southeastern Conference play, while the Wildcats improve to 20-3 on the season and 11-1 in league action.
"I feel like our team is making progress," said head coach Judy Green. "This weekend, we had effort and concentration. We had people who showed up to play. We had people who were doing the right thing. That's what it's all about, and we have come in and do it again tomorrow. We are not satisfied with not winning. We can improve and correct our execution mistakes."
Alabama had 42 total kills and hit .315 percent. Brooks Webster led the Tide attack with 17 kills off 39 attempts for a .444 hitting percentage. Stephanie Riley and Lauren Martin shared setting duties with Riley tallying 22 assists and Martin dishing out 16. Amy Pauly topped the list of Alabama defenders collected 11 digs.
The first set was close throughout, with 15 ties and eight lead changes. A Webster kill tied the game early at 6-6. Calli Johnson and Ashley Frazier teamed up to grab the lead for the Tide at 9-8. Frazier, once again, came up big and earned a kill to tie the set at 15-15. Johnson teamed up with Elizabeth Salstrand for another timely rejection to give Alabama the 21-20 lead. The Wildcats were able to pull away and took the set 25-23.
Frazier gave Alabama a quick start with a kill to earn the first points of the set. Although Kentucky took the lead shortly after, Alabama remained close. Following a long rally, Frazier stepped up and got a big kill for the Tide to get Alabama within four at 19-15. Webster kept the set going with a kill of her own at 24-22, but the Wildcats were able to take the set 25-22.
In the set, a big block by Webster tied the score at 5-5. Frazier gave Alabama the lead at 12-11 with one of her six kills of the day. Another timely play for Webster, this time a kill, tied the set up at 18-18. The Wildcats were able to pull away and took the set 25-21.
Next up, the Tide travels to Starkville, Miss. for a Wednesday matchup with the Bulldogs of Mississippi State. Opening serve is slated for 7:00 p.m. (CST). This will be the first meeting of the season between the two programs.
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