Kentucky VB blanked at home; drop 3rd straight against ranked opponent

On3 imageby:Ian Alvano•09/18/22

It wasn’t the best effort from the No. 13 Kentucky Wildcats on Sunday as they were swept at home by No. 2 Nebraska. The loss today marks the third out of the last four games for the ‘Cats, all coming against top 10 opponents.

An inspiring performance on Wednesday against No. 3 Louisville was not replicated on Sunday afternoon, with Nebraska dominating after a slow start to the first set, sweeping UK 3-0.

Nebraska bounced back after its defeat to No. 9 Stanford earlier in the week, moving the Cornhuskers to 8-1. Kentucky is now 5-4 as they enter SEC play next weekend. Nebraska also leads the all-time series 10-2 over the Wildcats.

One more point, just one more

The first set was the best that Kentucky looked all day. Adanna Rollins got off to a great start with three kills, putting the ‘Cats up 11-8. Elise Goetzinger bounced back after missing a kill with a strong effort at the net making the lead 17-16 in favor of UK.

A few moments later, Rollins’ awkward serve that just got over the net forced Nebraska to put the ball on a platter for Reagan Rutherford, who crushed a spike in the Cornhuskers’ direction.

Kentucky was up 22-18 after a net violation on Nebraska, but the lead slowly diminished. The Huskers wasted no time and tied the set at 23. Azhani Tealer’s block gave Kentucky a set point up 25-24, however, Nebraska’s three straight points won them the set 27-25.

Not the same energy

The first-set loss took a toll on Kentucky. From having set point, to losing the set, it felt like that was their chance to rattle Nebraska.

Nebraska got up early in the second set, but Kentucky tied it at 9. The Wildcats were able to stay in the set for a good amount of time considering they forced multiple net violations and one illegal contact on Nebraska. Tealer’s kill and Riah Walker’s ace gave Kentucky its first lead of the set 16-15, but it didn’t last long.

“They went on that short serving run and gave us some problems and it’s part of it, (we) got to respond. We didn’t do that today and get another chance next Saturday,” Head coach Craig Skinner said.

The Cornhuskers went on a 6-0 scoring run to close the set and went on to win 25-20.

Kentucky didn’t look like themselves in the third set. There were a couple of instances where players on the floor seemed to be on completely different pages. Rollins was given a poor set and she couldn’t get her hand on top of the ball to spike it.

Later in the set with Kentucky trailing, Eleanor Beavin and Rollins let a serve fall in between both of them. Maddie Berezowitz and Audrey Whitworth checked into the match later in the third. Bella Bell got her first kill with the ‘Cats down 23-14. Nebraska comfortably won the set 25-16, sweeping the Wildcats.

It means more

Southeastern Conference play is right around the corner for Kentucky, with LSU coming to town next weekend. Florida and Arkansas are the only two other teams that the Wildcats face that are currently ranked in the top 25. Both of those contests come away from home.

“We’ve had a tough road so far and there’s a lot that we’ve learned with those losses… We’re coming in twice as hard and we’re not going go in there and expect them to give us anything, we’re going to take it,” Rutherford said postgame on how she and the team are going to approach SEC play.

The gauntlet of non-conference play is over for the Wildcats, but the SEC schedule won’t be a walk in the park for the ‘Cats. Everyone will be wanting to dethrone the reigning SEC champion Kentucky Wildcats.

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2024-04-25