Kentucky VB breaks even in College Station; moves to 7-2 in SEC play
A sour weekend to start was saved after No. 16 Kentucky volleyball (12-6; 7-2 SEC) bounced back and defeated Texas A&M 3-1 on Sunday afternoon. Getting swept isn’t really UK’s style, considering its 3-0 defeat on Saturday was the first time they’ve been swept in a conference game in five years.
Texas A&M had lost six straight before the weekend series began, while Kentucky had won six straight. Something had to give, right?
A performance to forget on Saturday was followed up with a complete team effort to finish off the weekend. The Wildcats were without Reagan Rutherford in game two of the series against Texas A&M after she dealt the Aggies 13 kills on Saturday.
What is with this place?
Concerning would be an understatement after the first set concluded on Sunday. The Aggies (11-10; 3-7 SEC) weren’t the team to watch out for on paper that could possibly upset the ‘Cats coming into the weekend. However, in the Southeastern Conference, some games Just Mean More.
The first set was even for the most part. The Aggies out-killed Kentucky 12-11 and one thing that hurt the ‘Cats were the attack errors. Kentucky’s nine errors compared to A&M’s five were ultimately the difference. Texas A&M got hot late and went on to win the first set 25-19. The ‘Cats had lost their last four consecutive sets in College Station after the first set of game two.
Easy as 1, 2, 3
The second through fourth sets were like watching a completely different Kentucky squad. A squad that would have no chance of getting swept against this Aggie team.
A 14-11 start to the second set was exactly what Coach Skinner’s team needed. Kentucky kept a firm lead in the later stages and an Elise Goetzinger block gave the ‘Cats a 20-15 lead. A 5-1 scoring run to close the set evened the match up at one apiece.
Haley Melby was called upon at sporadic times by Coach Skinner on Sunday — and she answered. Melby recorded her second kill of the match early in the third putting Kentucky up 9-7. Azhani Tealer then added two of her 13 kills on a back-to-back effort.
The Wildcats stayed strong after a 20-15 lead. Goetzinger kept up the clutch kills with her eighth, helping UK win the set 25-22 and one away from a victory.
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A fifth set would have been something for sure, but we didn’t need to get there. We almost did, but we didn’t.
A&M led 15-13 in the fourth set before Kentucky decided they wanted to end this one early and get out of Texas. Bella Bell’s block tied the match up at 18 and then it started getting tense. Kentucky had two opportunities to finish the contest, but A&M saved two match points.
A once comfortable lead turned into an ominous fear of a fifth set. But no need to fear, Goetzinger is here. Her ace gave Kentucky the 26-24 set victory and the 3-1 match win.
Too much rest for Kentucky?
Kentucky had a good amount of time off before they dropped the first match against Texas A&M. They now look at a similar issue with six days before another match.
It could be possible that the three-game weeks are better for this squad and that’s when they can really get on a roll. As unfortunate as the first loss in College Station was, it doesn’t derail the Wildcats’ plans for the SEC crown.
Kentucky is still within striking distance of first place as the conference is completely up for grabs. Rest may be beneficial considering that may mean having Rutherford back against Auburn on Saturday.
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