Kentuckys Kristen Batt posted career-highs with 27 kills and 26 digs,
but that was not enough as the Georgia Bulldogs left Memorial Coliseum
Sunday afternoon with a hard-fought 3-2 come-from-behind victory.
UK (4-14, 2-5 SEC) looked impressive for the first two games
recording 24 kills and a .321 hitting percentage in game one and 19 kills
and a match-high .333 clip in game two. However, the Cats could not
carry the momentum generated in the first two games and dropped the
next three.
"We made too many mistakes in games three through five," said
coach Jona Braden. "We did not adjust to what Georgias offense was
doing and we did not respond to the situation."
After Georgia took the opening point of game one, UK ran off the next
eight to take and early 8-1 advantage. The Cats offense then stalled and
UGA fought its way back into the match, cutting the deficit to two at
10-8. After a series of side-outs, UK regrouped and took five of the next
eight points to capture game one 15-11, and a 1-0 lead in the match.
Megan Weiskircher sparkled for the Big Blue posting eight kills on 10
attacks for a .700 hitting percentage. Aleisha Craven recorded six digs
and the Cats hit .321 for game one.
Game two was never in doubt as UK sprinted out to a 12-3 lead en
route to winning 15-5. Kristen Batt led the charge for the Cats with
seven kills on eight attempts in addition to posting a game-high six digs.
The Cats did not commit a service error in game two and scorched
the nets for a match-high .333 hitting percentage.
Choosing not to throw in the towel, UGA responded in game three.
With the game tied at six, Georgia ran off the next four points to take a
10-6 lead and force UK to call a timeout. The Cats countered taking four
of the next six points and cutting the Lady Bulldogs lead to 12-10.
However, that would be as close at UK would get, as the Big Blue could
not contain UGAs Stacy Buerger who dominated play with 10 kills.
Georgia took game three 15-11 and cut UKs lead to 2-1.
Energized by their victory in the previous game, the Lady Bulldogs
seized the momentum in game four. With the score tied at three, UGA
scored 10 unanswered points and jumped out to a 13-3 advantage. The
Cats mounted a serious comeback attempt, but eventually fell short
losing 15-10 and being forced to a deciding fifth game.
The game four marathon was highlighted by the play of UKs Batt and
UGAs Buerger. Both players posted 10 kills, Batt on 28 attacks and
Buerger on 23.
The deciding game was played in rally scoring. The teams split the
first two points before the Lady Bulldogs could pull out to an 11-7 lead.
UKs never say die attitude would not allow the team to fold as the Cats
clawed back to tie the score at 12 apiece. Georgias Jessica Leverette
was then issued a red card due to unsportsmanlike conduct, resulting in
a point for Kentucky and giving the Big Blue a 13-12 lead. However, the
Cats could not close out the match and Georgia took the next three
points to win the game 15-13 and complete its comeback 3-2.
UK team members were disappointed with the loss.
"We are really disappointed we didnt win, especially after being up
2-0," said Kristen Batt. "We won the first two games relatively easy and
lost our focus in games three through five and its cost us the match."
Three Cats recorded double-doubles in the match. Kristen Batt
recorded her third double-double of the season reaching career-highs
with 27 kills and 26 digs. Megan Weiskircher posted her sixth
double-double with 18 kills and 15 digs and Whitney Samples
season-high 68 assists and 11 digs were good enough for her second
double-double this season.
April Barnhorst continued her steady play with 11 kills and four
blocks. Sissy Canfield recorded her first double-digit and career-high kill
performance with 11. Canfield also dominated net play for the Cats with
six blocks.
Six UK players reached double-figures in kills: Batt with 26, Canfield,
Weiskircher and Candace Cogan with 15 each, Brooke Dodson with 12
and Whitney Sample with 11.
Most of Georgias offense was supplied by outside hitter Stacy
Buerger. The junior tallied a game-high 33 kills and 15 digs. In addition
to Buerger, three other Lady Bulldogs reached double-figures in kills:
Erin Gornes with 17, Luresa Forsythe with 16 and Jessica Leverette with
14.
Five UGA players recorded double-figures in digs, led by Iskra
Perezs 24.
UKs next match will be on Friday, October 20 when the team travels
to Auburn for a match-up with the Tigers. The match is scheduled for 8
p.m. at the Student Activities Center.
