Kentucky Volleyball Falls to Nebraska in Top 10 Showdown
Kentucky volleyball opened the season under the sport’s brightest spotlight. Unfortunately, they did not have enough firepower to take down one of the most dominant programs in college volleyball.
No. 2 Nebraska took one to the chin in the second set, then responded with heavy-handed haymakers to knock off the ninth-ranked Wildcats in four sets (25-21, 22-25, 25-12, 25-20) at the AVCA First Serve Showcase. It’s Nebraska’s 11th straight win over Kentucky.
The doubleheader event at the Yum! Center was the first of its kind, played in front of a nationally televised audience on ESPN2. Despite the circumstances, there weren’t too many early nerves. A back-and-forth affair, the first set was tied at 19 before Nebraska strung together a clinching run.
Craig Skinner’s squad showed plenty of gumption in set two. Kentucky trailed 10-4 before the Wildcats woke up with a 10-4 run of their own to even the score. Even though things got tight down the stretch, a challenge went the Wildcats’ way to help clinch a narrow three-point victory.
After halftime, things got sideways for Kentucky. The Huskers tallied six blocks in a dominant third set to take command with a 10-point win. Despite a push from Kentucky, it wasn’t enough to completely turn the tide and retake the match’s momentum.
Kentucky is back in action this weekend, opening the renovated Memorial Coliseum with three matches at the new home of the Cats, beginning Friday at 6:30 pm EST against Northern Kentucky. KSR volleyball correspondent Hunter Mitchell will have more analysis from tonight’s match at the AVCA First Serve Showcase.
A Kentucky Olympic Medalist in the Building
Even though the game was played in enemy territory, one of the Wildcats’ brightest stars was in the building for the AVCA First Serve Showcase. National Champion Avery Skinner made the trip to Louisville for the season opener to cheer for the Wildcats. Earlier this month she represented Team USA as the Americans brought home a silver medal in indoor volleyball.
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