Oct. 4, 2001

LEXINGTON, Ky. -

South Carolina Game Notes
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The University of Kentucky volleyball team will return to Southeastern Conference play on Friday, Oct. 5, when the Wildcats play host to No. 17 South Carolina. The match is set to begin at 7 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum.

After a solid 3-2 comeback win over in-state rival Morehead State on Tuesday, the Wildcats look to improve their standings in the Southeastern Conference and earn their first win over a ranked opponent on Friday. Junior Kristen Batt, who had a season-best performance against the Eagles with 26 kills and 21 digs, has posted five double-doubles on the season and is third on the team in hitting percentage at .257.

The 17th-ranked Gamecocks come to Lexington sporting a 9-1 record and are 1-1 in conference play. USC's only loss this season came at the hands of then-No. 10 Florida. South Carolina had the Gators down 0-2 in the match before Florida mounted its biggest comeback in 15 years to take the match 3-2.

The Gamecocks are led by junior Sam Alban, who is averaging 2.33 kills per game and a .362 hitting percentage. The 6-0 middle blocker is lighting it up in conference play, hitting .614 and averaging 2.9 kpg. Alban currently leads the league in hitting percentage during SEC games with her .614 mark.

"We're eager to get back into SEC play after an exciting non-conference match on Tuesday," Coach Jona Braden said. "South Carolina is playing very well right now and should provide us with a good test."

UK is currently tied with Alabama for third in the league and holds the same standing in the Eastern Division. USC is just ahead of UK in the SEC standings at second in the East, but third overall behind Florida and Arkansas, who are tied for first, and LSU.