#19 Tennessee Falls In Four Sets At #2 Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The #19 Tennessee volleyball program dropped a tough four set match on the road to #2 Kentucky (25-22, 23-25, 18-25, 18-25).

The offense finished with 62 kills on a .240 hitting percentage in the match. The defense had 57 digs to go along with seven blocks. Kentucky had 53 kills on .252 hitting, with the defense adding 50 digs and 14 blocks.

The duo of Hayden Kubik and Starr Williams led the Tennessee attack, finishing with 16 and 15 kills respectively. Caroline Kerr had an all around game with her 35th 40-assist match of her career with 49 assists to go along with five digs, four kills, three blocks and an ace.

On the defensive end, Gŭlce Güçtekin had an impressive evening, setting a new career-high with 30 digs. Güçtekin became the first Lady Vol to have 30-plus digs in a match since Yelianiz Torres had 30 digs against Arkansas back on Oct. 20, 2022. Chelsea Sutton added three blocks in the match, while notching her fifth double figure kill performance with 10.

After falling behind early in the first set, Tennessee used a pair of scoring runs to close the deficit. The Lady Vols closed the set thanks to a 7-2 point advantage to take the early lead. Williams led the way early with six kills, joined by Kubik with five. Güçtekin put in a strong effort in the back row, with 11 digs in the opening stanza. Kerr put up 16 assists to kickoff proceedings, while also contributing two kills and a block.

Both teams were going back and forth in the second, until Tennessee would take a three-point lead midway through the frame. The Wildcats would mount their own comeback, taking the lead late and evening the game at a set apiece. Kubik had the high mark offensively with seven kills, while Kerr set up the Tennessee attack with 15 assists.

Kentucky controlled the third set, taking a nine-point lead, limiting the Tennessee charge to a .171 hitting percentage. Kentucky would get out to an early lead once again in the fourth. Tennessee attempted a late rally, cutting the deficit to five points. The early lead proved too much for the Lady Vols, falling in the fourth set to end the contest.

Up next the Lady Vols return to Knoxville as they host the Arkansas Razorbacks. First serve is slated for 6:30 p.m. and will be streamed on SEC Network+.