Bulldogs Host #18 Kentucky, Missouri at Stegeman this Weekend

Friday, November 8

Athens, Ga.

7 p.m.

University of Georgia

Kentucky

Bulldogs Host #18 Kentucky, Missouri at Stegeman this Weekend

November 07, 2019 | Volleyball

Kentucky/Missouri Match Notes

Georgia (17-5, 9-2)
vs. #18 Kentucky (16-6, 9-2)
Date: Friday, Nov. 8, 2019
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Athens, Ga.
Arena: Stegeman Coliseum

Media Information
Streaming Video: SEC Network+
     Play-by-play: Kaleb Frady
     Analysis: Nikki Chester
Live Stats: GeorgiaDogs.com
Twitter: @UGAvolleyball

vs. (RV) Missouri (14-6,6-4)
Date: Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Athens, Ga.
Arena: Stegeman Coliseum

Media Information
Streaming Video: SEC Network+
     Play-by-play: Matt Stewart
     Analysis: Nikki Chester
Live Stats: GeorgiaDogs.com
Twitter: @UGAvolleyball

First Serve
Georgia volleyball puts its unblemished home record to the test this weekend when #18 Kentucky and Missouri come to Stegeman Coliseum.

The Bulldogs host #18 Kentucky Friday evening at 7 p.m. in a rematch of the Oct. 11 match in Lexington in which Georgia upset the then-#12 Wildcats. Georgia then hosts Missouri at Stegeman on Sunday. First serve set for 2 p.m. against the Tigers.

Follow the Bulldogs
» This weekend's matches will stream live on the SEC Network+ via ESPN.com and the ESPN app. Kaleb Frady (Friday) and Matt Stewart (Sunday) will provide play-by-play while Nikki Chester will provide color analysis.
» Live stat links can be found on the volleyball schedule on GeorgiaDogs.com.
» Twitter updates will be available all season long on the official Twitter page of the Bulldogs, @UGAvolleyball.

Upcoming Promotions at Stegeman
Friday, Nov. 8 - Kentucky
   » First 400 fans will receive a Bitmoji t-shirt
   » First 200 students will receive free food
   » Post-match autographs
Sunday, Nov. 10 - Missouri
   » Dad & Daughter Day
     - register to lgibbons@sports.uga.edu by Nov. 9
   » Post-match selfies
» FREE admission to all regular-season home matches; the Clear Bag Policy will be in effect
» All season long, the first 30 fans at Gate A at Stegeman Coliseum can sit courtside and will receive free food

BULLDOGS BULLETIN
Series History
Kentucky
- Georgia trails the all-time series 26-45
- In Athens, Georgia trails the series 11-20
- Prior to Georgia's win in Lexington on Oct. 11Kentucky won the previous eight matchups, seven of which were sweeps of the Bulldogs; Kentucky has won 23 of the last 25 meetings
- The previous win over the Wildcats came Oct. 23, 2013 in five sets in Athens
- Georgia swept the home-and-home series in 2004
- The last time Georgia beat two ranked opponents in a single season was when it beat Kentucky (#10, #12) twice in 1993
Missouri
- Georgia trails the all-time record 5-8
- In Athens, Georgia is 2-3 against Missouri
- Since Missouri joined the league, Georgia has gone 4-7 against the Tigers
- The last win over Missouri came in Columbia in 2017 in a sweep, but have lost the last two meetings

A Look Ahead
Up next, Georgia's last weekend road swing will feature the tour of Mississippi beginning Nov. 15 at Ole Miss. The rematch with the Rebels will begin at 7:30 p.m., ET, from Oxford. Georgia then travels to Starkville for a showdown with the Mississippi State Bulldogs Sunday, Nov. 17.

Recap of the Last Match with Kentucky
The Bulldogs took down #12 Kentucky on Oct. 11 in five sets at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington. It was the first victory over Kentucky since 2013 when the Bulldogs defeated the then 15th-ranked Wildcats in five in Athens. It was Kentucky's first SEC loss since Nov. 1, 2017 (Florida, 0-3). The Bulldogs put three in double-digit kills, led by 15 from Kacie Evans. She was followed closely behind by 14 from Kianna Young and 13 from Rachel Ritchie. Evans recorded her third double-double in a row, putting up 10 digs and contributed three blocks. On the net, Sage Naves put up a career-best eight blocks, the most by a Bulldog this season. Meghan Donovan dished out a season-best 54 assists.

Let's Recap
Georgia defeated the Tennessee Lady Vols in four sets Sunday afternoon at Thompson-Boling Arena. With the win, Georgia concluded a sweep of the home-and-home series with the Lady Vols for the first time since 2013. Georgia won the match in Athens on Oct. 4 in four sets. Sunday's match between Georgia and the Tennessee featured 34 ties and 14 lead changes. Kacie Evans led the way for the Georgia attackers, tallying a season-best 23 kills while hitting .341. She was followed by a 15-kill performance from Rachel Ritchie. Sage Naves also topped double digits, concluding with 10 on the nose. Claire Rothenberger tied a season-best 15 digs to co-lead the squad with libero Kendall Glover. On the net, Naves contributed seven blocks while Georgia had eight in the match.

The Bulldogs at Home
Georgia has opened the 2019 home schedule with a 7-0 record. In the first three seasons under Tom Black, Georgia has recorded a record at home of 25-11. Season one saw Georgia go 12-5 in Athens. The 2018 season was the first full-time season for Georgia volleyball in Stegeman Coliseum as Georgia went .500 at 6-6. In home-opening tournaments the last two seasons, the Bulldogs are 7-0.

Donovan, Evans Earn More SEC Weekly Honors
Meghan Donovan and Kacie Evans have once again been named the SEC Setter and Freshman of the Week, respectively. Donovan earns her second SEC Setter of the Week award this season and the ninth of her career. She handed out 12.71 assists per set last week including 53 at Tennessee. Over two matches, the Bulldogs hit .301 including a .326 clip against the Razorbacks. Georgia also averaged 15.29 assists per set, over a kill per set more than its season average. Wednesday's match was also Donovan's ninth double-double of the season as she tallied 10 digs. Evans picks up her fourth SEC Freshman of the Week of her rookie campaign. The outside hitter recorded 5.00 kills per set over two matches while hitting .278. In Sunday's match at Tennessee, she recorded a career-best 23 kills, tying a single-match high for the Bulldogs this season in the category while also tallying 24.5 points for the Bulldogs. She hit .341 in the contest. Evans' 23 kills in a four-set match ties for second in Georgia's rally scoring history.

Using a Strong Start
This season, Georgia has won the first set 14 times. In those matches, the Bulldogs are 13-1 (the lone loss coming at Florida). Reversely, when Georgia drops the opening set, they are 4-4 on the season.

Approaching the Double Grand Club
Senior setter Meghan Donovan is approaching the 1,000-dig mark in her career at Georgia, currently with 986. She ranks fourth all-time at UGA with over 4,500 assists. When she records her 1,000th dig, she will become the 14th member of Georgia's Double Grand Club. She will be only the third Bulldog setter to join the club. The last Bulldog inducted was Erika Clark (2007-10; 1,012 kills, 1,160 digs). The last setter was Jill Moore (1988-91; 4,023 assists, 1,023 digs).

An Offense on the rise
Georgia ranks in the top three of three major offensive average statistical categories in the SEC including aces (1.61), assists (13.07), and kills (13.94). In team totals, Georgia leads the SEC in assists (1,085), and kills (1,157). Individually, Rachel Ritchie ranks 10th with 3.27 kills per set.

Aces Wild
As a team, Georgia's 134 aces ranks second in the SEC while also ranking second in aces per set at 1.61. Individually, Brynn Chandler (0.35), Kendall Glover (0.29) and Kacie Evans (0.29) rank fourth and ninth, respectively in the conference. In SEC play, the Bulldogs lead the league with 69 total aces and second with 1.57 aces per set. Chandler ranks second with 0.50 aces per set.

Helping Hands
Senior setter Meghan Donovan, Georgia's lone senior, ranks fourth all-time with 4,597 career assists. That figure ranks sixth amongst active career leaders in Division I. This season, her 11.45 assists per set ranks eighth in the country and is currently second in the SEC. As a team, Georgia leads the SEC with 1,085 assists, 950 of which have come from Donovan. Nationally, Georgia ranks 21st with 13.07 assists per set.

Streaking in League Play
The Bulldogs recently won six-straight SEC matches after dropping a four-setter to Florida. The last time Georgia won six-straight league matches was 2008. The winning streak matches a season-long from earlier this season which is the longest since a seven match streak to open the 2018 season. Georgia's SEC streak tied the second-longest for the Bulldogs in the Tom Black era.