LOUISVILLE, Ky. — No. 3 University of Louisville volleyball travels to in-state rival No. 13 Kentucky in the Battle of the Bluegrass on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 7:00 p.m. ET at Memorial Coliseum.
Louisville and Kentucky have met 57 times in their rivalry, dating back to 1976 with UK leading the series. Last year, the two teams met in the L&N Federal Credit Arena for an intense five set match. Louisville won the contest 3-2 with a score of 15-9 in the fifth set. So far this season the Wildcats are 5-2 with their two losses coming from Marquette and No. ? Wisconsin. With Craig Skinner in his 18th season, Kentucky finished the 2021 season 25-5 falling in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to Illinois. The Wildcats have made 17 straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament and were picked in the preseason to win the SEC. Four Wildcats were nominated on the All-SEC Preseason Team. Reagan Rutherford, Azhani Tealer, and Adanna Rollins have played a role in the 5-2 start to the season. Junior Rutherford, a 6-0 right side, has recorded 95 kills so far this season hitting .371. Named the SEC Player of the Week on Sept. 5, she has 13 aces, 55 digs, and 23 blocks. Senior Tealer is a 5-10 middle blocker for the Wildcats and has 40 kills and 20 blocks this season. A 6-0 transfer from Penn State, outside hitter Rollins has 83 kills, 8 aces, 56 digs, and 9 blocks through seven matches.
The Cardinals are coming off a double sweep weekend against No. 10 Purdue and Lipscomb to make their record 7-1. Aiko Jones and Elena Scott were named to the All-Louisville Invitational Team. Jones was one of three Cardinals with 16 kills or more through both matches this weekend. Anna DeBeer and Claire Chaussee added 16 kills and 21 kills, respectively. Scott notched 31 digs and three aces this weekend. On Friday in front of an electric crowd, UofL came from behind after Purdue hit set point at 24-19 to win 27-25. Against Lipscomb, the Cardinals had 14 different players play and recorded 10 blocks as a team.
Team Rankings
As a team, Louisville is ranked first in the ACC in hitting percentage (.310) and second in opponent hitting percentage (.147), first in blocks (79 total) and blocks per set (3.04), and second in service aces per set (2.31).
Cardinals in the ACC Rankings
Amaya Tillman – 2nd in blocks with 1.43 blocks/set
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