No. 7 Kentucky sweeps Georgia 3-0 in Lexington

Kentucky Wildcats middle blocker Elise Goetzinger (11) hits the ball over the net during the University of Kentucky vs. Missouri volleyball game on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Kentucky. UK won 3-0. Photo by Jack Weaver | Staff

Alec Anstine

No. 7 Kentucky (18-4) volleyball put on a strong showing, sweeping the Georgia Bulldogs (8-15) 3-0 in Lexington on Wednesday night.

Alli Stumler led the team with 15 kills, with Madi Skinner following close behind, finishing with 13. In total, the Cats had 49 kills on a .416 hit percentage, with Georgia only hitting .111. Emily Grome led the team in assists with 39.

UK started off quick in the first set, jumping to a 10-3 lead, forcing Georgia to call an early timeout. Georgia did not allow Kentucky to pull away farther, consistently remaining within 7 points of the Wildcats until a kill by Stumler sparked yet another Wildcat run.

 Kentucky outscored Georgia 11-3 to finish the set, with a kill by Skinner capping off a 25-10 win for Kentucky.

The Cats once again started the second set hot, taking an early 10-5 lead, forcing another Georgia timeout. Despite Georgia’s persistence, keeping the majority of the set within five points, Kentucky would pull away, eventually winning the set 25-14 when an attacking error by Bulldog Kacie Evans capped off a 4-0 scoring run by Kentucky.

Picking up right where they left off, Kentucky took an 8-2 lead to start the final set. Georgia fought back, however, going on an 8-3 run, and getting within one point of Kentucky at 11-10, but another commanding kill by Skinner started a 7-2 run for UK, giving them an 18-13 lead.

A late comeback from Georgia made it 22-18 before the Cats scored three straight points to win the set 25-18, completing the sweep. 

Kentucky faces Texas A&M this Saturday, Nov. 13, in Lexington for their Greek Life Match. The match is set to begin at 4 p.m. E.T and can be viewed on SEC Network+.