Kentucky Volleyball sweeps Alabama 3-0 behind stellar defense

In the obviously more important of the two Alabama sports losses on Saturday, the Crimson Tide fell to No. 5 Kentucky on the volleyball court. The ‘Cats (11-3) made quick work of the Tide (8-9) in a 3-0 sweep Saturday afternoon. So let’s talk about it.

First Set

Kentucky wasted no time asserting themselves in their fourth SEC match of the season. With freshman libero Eleanor Beavin starting at the service stripe, UK busted out to a 6-0 lead and never looked back. Kentucky extended the lead to nine several times but allowed the Tide to creep back within six before the end of the set.

Ultimately, Kentucky came out and put the hammer down in the first. They led wire to wire and finished it off 25-19.

Second Set

The second set wasn’t much different than the first as Kentucky leaped out to a quick 5-1 lead that was never relinquished. However, ‘Bama climbed back within two at 9-7, but an ensuing 4-0 run helped the ‘Cats reassert themselves.

As this set progressed, Kentucky kept its foot on the gas pedal. They turned a five-point lead midway through the set into a 10-point victory in the second set, 25-15. They were cruising after two.

Set two: ✅✅

Two to the good in Tuscaloosa!

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— Kentucky Volleyball (@KentuckyVB) October 9, 2021

Third Set

In the third, Alabama accomplished something it hadn’t in the first two sets: tying the game! The Tide tied the third set at two apiece — the lone tie of the game thus far (outside of the starts at 0-0) — before Kentucky quickly regained control.

UK extended the lead enough that Craig Skinner decided to rotate some of the bench players in. Things did get a little worrisome as the set progressed and Alabama hung around and threatened to tie the game again.

And they did. ‘Bama pulled even near the end of the set at 23-23 but Azhani Tealer wiped away any dreams of a third-set victory for the tide with a kill and a block to end the game.

The ‘Cats win comfortably on the road, 3-0, to advance to 11-3 on the season and 4-0 in the SEC.

✅ Road wins ✅ pic.twitter.com/JUm3e81RQf

— Kentucky Volleyball (@KentuckyVB) October 10, 2021

Stats & Recap

It wasn’t Kentucky’s best day offensively, as the ‘Cats managed just a .277% hitting percentage. That’s a great mark for most volleyball teams but below average for Kentucky, which hasn’t been able to put together a complete performance in every phase of the game quite yet.

That’s a scary fact, though, given that this team is 11-3 with several quality wins and ranked fifth in the nation. The ceiling for this group is still unbelievable.

On Saturday, the vaunted defense that Coach Skinner has talked about came through for the ‘Cats. Eleanor Beavin set a new career-high in digs with 18 in just three sets. Lauren Tharp, Alli Stumler and Emma Grome all chipped in with six apiece as the Kentucky back row was elite all night.

At the net, four different Wildcats recorded multiple blocks. After demolishing her career-high in blocks with 10 the other night vs. Mississippi State, Azhani Tealer recorded four vs. the Tide. Bella Bell notched four as well, Emma Grome had three and Reagan Rutherford had two to round out a stellar performance by Kentucky’s defense.

Offensively, Tealer led the way with 11 kills on just 17 swings, hitting the ball at a .588% clip. That’ll get it done. Alli Stumler also recorded 11 kills and Reagan Rutherford added 10 in a balanced attack from the ‘Cats.

It was good to see Kentucky take care of business in short order on the road. 3-0 sweeps were commonplace a season ago, and it always feels good to replicate the Champs.

For Craig Skinner’s group, it’s on to LSU next Thursday (8 p.m. on SECNetwork+) and Friday (9 p.m. on SECNetwork).