Kentucky Volleyball hosts block party in 3-0 win over Texas A&M
Rinse and repeat. In their most dominant SEC win of the year, the no. 7 Kentucky Volleyball Team smashed Texas A&M in all three sets to sweep the weekend series and finish the week a perfect 9-0 in all of its sets. The ‘Cats are finding their groove at the right time as the NCAA Tournament looms next month.
Let’s talk about Sunday’s win.
First Set
Texas A&M came out in the first set with a little more fight than they showed early on in Saturday’s match. A 4-0 run actually gave A&M the lead at 8-6 before Kentucky snapped into focus and took their own two-point lead with an immediate 6-1 run.
Actually, that 6-1 run was part of a much larger scoring barrage for Kentucky. A&M closed the gap back to one at 11-10 before Kentucky ran off nine straight points behind strong serves from Riah Walker, a few kills by Alli Stumler and a pair of blocks by Bella Bell — who turned in a Nerlens-Noel-like performance today.
As you could have guessed, UK ended the set fairly quickly following the big run and got on top 1-0 by a score of 25-12.
Second Set
Riah Walker picked right back up where she left off at the service stripe in the first. Behind her serves, Kentucky sprinted out to a 7-0 lead in the second set. Bella Bell also helped power the UK run with three blocks and a fourth a few plays later. Just sheer defensive dominance at the net.
Texas A&M tried their best but simply never had a shot in the second set. The ‘Cats blitzed them early and kept their foot on the Aggies’ throats to eventually cruise to a 25-11 set victory and 2-0 lead.
Third Set
Texas A&M responded with what fight they had left to start the third. The two teams stayed tied through eight points apiece until Riah Walker stepped in to serve once again and caused A&M all sorts of issues as she sprang a 4-0 Kentucky run.
The Aggies cut it to two a minute later but UK slowly extended their lead from there, getting up by seven or so and sending in some of their subs. With the backups, who are nearly just as good as some of the starters, the ‘Cats didn’t miss a beat and finished off Texas A&M 25-14 to complete the weekend sweep.
Stats & Recap
Maybe the best week of the year for the 2021 Kentucky Volleyball team. They won all three of their matches at home in 3-0 fashion to inch closer to an SEC Championship. This group looks like it’s playing its best volleyball right now.
Statistically, we’ll start with Bella Bell, who blocked nine attacks and killed three of her own. Definitely her best match as a Wildcat. Reagan Rutherford was her co-blocker on several occasions and racked up six blocks while adding five kills.
Today’s kill leader was once again Alli Stumler, who finished with 12 and hit .300% on the nose. After some early-season struggles, Stumler is back to being the ferocious and efficient primary attacker she was last spring. Her running mate, Madi Skinner, was second on the team with seven while Azhani Tealer also added as many.
Lastly, the two key freshmen did their jobs wonderfully again today. Eleanor Beavin recorded 14 digs as Emma Grome notched 29 assists and a few “dunk” kills from the setter spot.
Kentucky will be back in action next weekend at Auburn on Saturday (5:30 p.m.) and Sunday (2 p.m.). You can catch both those games on SECNetwork+.
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