Throughout the 2017 season, the No. 6 Kentucky volleyball team has been in nearly every situation. However, there’s something a little different about your back being against a wall with your season on the line. A gritty Western Kentucky team gave the Wildcats everything they could handle, but UK mounted an incredible comeback to pull off an exhilarating five-set (16-25, 22-25, 25-19, 25-21, 15-12) win to move on to the Round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament next week.
As the No. 4 overall seed in the tournament, Kentucky will host an NCAA next weekend. UK will face BYU in the round-of-16 on a date and time to be determined. No. 5 seed Nebraska and Colorado will also travel to Lexington.
UK’s resiliency was impressive, and the Cats will march on to the Sweet 16 for the fourth time under Skinner and the first since 2012. Today’s five-set win is the second time the Wildcats have earned a five-set NCAA Tournament win under Skinner. The other came against Dayton in the opening round of the 2011 tournament.
Sophomore Leah Edmondwas sensational offensively for the Wildcats. She boasted 22 kills, eight digs, four blocks, two assists and an ace in the victory. The 22 kills are the most for any player under Skinner in an NCAA Tournament match. She is also the first player in program history under his direction to have two career matches of 20 or more kills during the postseason.
The win moves the Wildcats to 28-3 overall on the season. Western Kentucky concludes its season at 31-4.
(Courtesy UK Athletics)
(Photos – Vicky Graff)
