The No. 13 Cats (29-4) decided they were tired of losing, and they proved it by sweeping their first and second round matches of the NCAA tournament last weekend.

The Cats, hoping to ride last weekend’s momentum into the third round of the NCAA tournament, had a balanced attack, solid defense and a playful attitude last weekend.

“We haven’t really changed anything, I think the team came together and decided that we were going to step up and play a level of volleyball we’re capable of and we have done at times this year,” UK head coach Craig Skinner said. “I think it’s more of a competitive mentality than whatever the situation is. They didn’t want to have the feeling of losing, that feeling hurts and they didn’t want to feel it again and that motivated them.”

UK will face No. 3 seed Florida State on Friday in Minneapolis, Minn. The Seminoles’ tournament has mirrored the Cats’ — neither has dropped a set in the NCAAs. Skinner says Florida State is a terrific hitting team and the solid defensive effort the Cats showed last weekend will have to make the trip north.

“Our defense needs to be similar. We need to serve tough,” Skinner said. “Florida State is big, physical and hits the ball hard. They are very balanced on the stat sheet.”

Junior middle blocker Lauren Rapp picked a good weekend to step up. In the first round she showed off her offensive skills leading the team in kills, then Saturday she stuffed the Oregon Ducks with a career-high 10 blocks.

“She’s a great competitor. She wanted to step up and she didn’t want us to exit in the first round like we did last year,”

Skinner said. “She is obviously very motivated this year and her play is proving that.”

The team said being able to have players step up in different situations is crucial to team success.

“I think we all need to keep playing like we have been, keep working hard and not one person in general needs to step up, but us as a team collectively,” Rapp said.

The mood in the locker room is back to the playful atmosphere that could be found during the Cats’ eight- and nine-game winning streaks earlier this season. Senior setter Sarah Rumely believes the Cats are a better team when everyone is laid back, as opposed to being tight and serious.

“As a team, we always play free, and when we play free, we play better,” Rumely said. “We were a little tight on Friday, but

I think our team does well when we play free and enjoy each other and have energy in the gym.”

If the Cats want to make history and reach the quarterfinals, they will have to continue with a balanced attack, shut down defense and the care-free attitude that fuels the Cats.

“We will take some of the momentum, but we have to take it one game at a time and can’t be satisfied with what we have accomplished so far,” Rapp said.