Bulldogs Fall in Three Sets to #18 Kentucky

Friday, November 8

Athens, Ga.

7 p.m.

University of Georgia

17-6,9-3SEC

Kentucky

17-6,10-2,SEC

Kentucky

Georgia

Photo by: Tony Walsh

November 08, 2019 | Volleyball

Box Score

ATHENS, Ga. – The University of Georgia women's volleyball team fell in straight sets to #18 Kentucky Friday evening at Stegeman Coliseum (16-25, 18-25, 23-25).

The Wildcats avenged their loss at the hands of Georgia in Lexington on Oct. 11.

"We got beat on all sides of the ball," said head coach Tom Black. "We just have to respond and get better for Sunday. We need to play harder, especially from the start. Our offense got more consistent during the third set and our blocking got better too but it was just too late, so we need to improve from the start."

Freshman Kacie Evans led the Georgia offensive effort with 12 kills. She complemented her kill count with seven digs and five blocks. Sophomore Sage Naves picked up eight kills with a team-best six blocks.

Junior libero Kendall Glover and senior setter Meghan Donovan each tallied 11 digs. The match was Donovan's 10^th double-double as she handed out 29 assists.

Kentucky used a strong start to open the match, leading the Bulldogs 11-5 and forcing an early timeout from the Georgia bench. Kentucky never trailed in the opening set, cruising to a 25-16 win in the set. Naves and Evans each tallied three kills in the set.

Once again, the Wildcats used a strong start to begin the second set, quickly taking the first three points in the frame. Kentucky led by as much as nine in the second, 19-10. A 4-0 run by the Bulldogs cut the Wildcat lead to five, 21-17, late in the set. UK won the frame 25-18. Evans and Naves once again led the offense with three kills each. Georgia tallied 13 kills to Kentucky's 11 in the set.

Down 9-8 in set three, Georgia went on a 4-0 run to open a 12-9 on the Wildcats. With Georgia ahead 14-10, Kentucky used a timeout. Following the timeout, the Wildcats won four-of-five to tie the set at 15 all, forcing a Georgia timeout. Knotted at 19, three-straight points from the Bulldogs gave them a 21-19 lead, prompting another Wildcat timeout. After Georgia continued the run after the break to 22-19, Kentucky won four of the next five to once again knot it up at 23. After a timeout by Georgia, Kentucky won the next two to secure the sweep of the Bulldogs, 25-23. Evans concluded the match with nine kills in the third set.

Up next, Georgia hosts the Missouri Tigers are Stegeman Coliseum Sunday afternoon. First serve against the Tigers is set for 2 p.m.