UK volleyball returns home after a weekend road trip and will now play host to SEC rival Tennessee. The match on Wednesday is the annual DanceBlue Match, which raises awareness and money to benefit children with cancer who are treated at UK’s Pediatric Oncology Hematology Clinic.

The Cats are coming off a four-set loss to No. 24 Texas A&M on Sunday, which was preceded by a sweep over Arkansas on Friday. No. 18 UK ‘s Anni Thomasson had her 11th double double of the season against the Aggies and has recorded a double double in three consecutive matches, which is the longest streak since Whitney Billings in 2013.

Standing in UK’s way is a Volunteer team that has struggled this season. Tennessee (8-15, 1-8 SEC) won for the first time in the SEC on Sunday with a sweep of Ole Miss.

UK and Tennessee are no strangers to one another, with UK having defeated the Volunteers once already this season back on Oct. 10th. The sweep was UK’s fourth consecutive over Tennessee.

The Cats will boast a considerable home-court advantage when the Volunteers travel to Memorial Coliseum. The Cats have lost just two games at home this season while Tennessee has struggled on the road, winning just once in eight road games.

According to a UK media relations press release, the Cats will wear blue warm-up tops with gold lettering and head coach Craig Skinner will wear a gold tie, which will be auctioned off on UKathletics.com along with a gold ball.

The first serve is at 8 p.m. on Wednesday in Memorial Coliseum.

 STAFF REPORT