University of Tennessee Athletics
Saturday, October 17
Lexington, KY
7 P.M.
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Kentucky
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Tennessee Battles No. 3 Kentucky on the Road, Falls in Four Sets
October 17, 2020 | Volleyball
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Playing in their second match against No. 3 Kentucky, the Lady Vol volleyball team pushed the Wildcats throughout, but fell short in four sets (26-24, 23-25, 22-25, 13-25) Saturday night at Memorial Coliseum.
Junior outside hitter Danielle Mahaffey was the catalyst for the Lady Vol offense, while junior middle blocker Raquel Perinar led on the defensive side of the ball.
Tennessee (0-2, 0-2 SEC) got 17 kills from Mahaffey on the night, who helped spark a first-set comeback that saw the Lady Vols erase a seven-point deficit. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native hit .455 in the opening frame and scored seven kills.
Mahaffey's 17 kills Saturday night tie her career-high set against Ole Miss on Sept. 27, 2019.
The Tennessee block was out in force against UK as the Lady Vols stuffed the Wildcats 10 times. Perinar led the way with a career-high six blocks, while junior Lily Felts picked up two solo blocks and a block assist.
Mahaffey, Ava Bell and Jasmine Brooks each finished with two block assists.
Kentucky (2-0, 2-0 SEC) and Tennessee played a back-and-forth first set until the Wildcats used a 6-2 run to take a 19-12 lead. Sparked by a 5-0 run of its own – which included three-straight kills by Mahaffey – Tennessee charged back to within two.
UK pushed the lead back out to four, but the Lady Vols closed the opening set on an 8-2 run, fighting off set point, and taking the opener, 26-24.
In the second, Kentucky jumped out to a 13-7 lead before the Lady Vols again raced back to erase the deficit and claim the set lead at 15-14. UT edged its lead to 22-19, but it was the Wildcats' turn to come from behind as they finished on a 6-1 run. UK won the second set, 25-23.
The third set was tight throughout with neither side gaining much of an advantage. The lead changed hands in the third three times, while the score was tied on 10 occasions. Kentucky used a late 4-2 run to seal the set, 25-22.
UK found its offensive groove from Friday night in the fourth set as it hit .407 in the final frame to win 25-13 and take the match 3-1.
1,000 Digs
In the opening set on Saturday night, senior libero Madison Coulter notched the 1,000th dig of her Tennessee career. The Maryville, Tennessee, native is the 17th player in program history to reach the 1,000 dig milestone. She finished the night with 17 digs.
Service Pressure
Tennessee used its service pressure Saturday night to keep pressing Kentucky as the Lady Vols finished with six aces. Junior Lily Felts had a team-high three aces, while Natalie Hayward, Coulter and Madison Bryant picked up one apiece.
Up Next
The Lady Vols return home to Thompson-Boling Arena on Oct. 28 and 29 to take on the Georgia Bulldogs. First serve for both matches is 7 p.m. ET.
Junior outside hitter Danielle Mahaffey was the catalyst for the Lady Vol offense, while junior middle blocker Raquel Perinar led on the defensive side of the ball.
Tennessee (0-2, 0-2 SEC) got 17 kills from Mahaffey on the night, who helped spark a first-set comeback that saw the Lady Vols erase a seven-point deficit. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native hit .455 in the opening frame and scored seven kills.
Mahaffey's 17 kills Saturday night tie her career-high set against Ole Miss on Sept. 27, 2019.
The Tennessee block was out in force against UK as the Lady Vols stuffed the Wildcats 10 times. Perinar led the way with a career-high six blocks, while junior Lily Felts picked up two solo blocks and a block assist.
Mahaffey, Ava Bell and Jasmine Brooks each finished with two block assists.
Kentucky (2-0, 2-0 SEC) and Tennessee played a back-and-forth first set until the Wildcats used a 6-2 run to take a 19-12 lead. Sparked by a 5-0 run of its own – which included three-straight kills by Mahaffey – Tennessee charged back to within two.
UK pushed the lead back out to four, but the Lady Vols closed the opening set on an 8-2 run, fighting off set point, and taking the opener, 26-24.
In the second, Kentucky jumped out to a 13-7 lead before the Lady Vols again raced back to erase the deficit and claim the set lead at 15-14. UT edged its lead to 22-19, but it was the Wildcats' turn to come from behind as they finished on a 6-1 run. UK won the second set, 25-23.
The third set was tight throughout with neither side gaining much of an advantage. The lead changed hands in the third three times, while the score was tied on 10 occasions. Kentucky used a late 4-2 run to seal the set, 25-22.
UK found its offensive groove from Friday night in the fourth set as it hit .407 in the final frame to win 25-13 and take the match 3-1.
1,000 Digs
In the opening set on Saturday night, senior libero Madison Coulter notched the 1,000th dig of her Tennessee career. The Maryville, Tennessee, native is the 17th player in program history to reach the 1,000 dig milestone. She finished the night with 17 digs.
Service Pressure
Tennessee used its service pressure Saturday night to keep pressing Kentucky as the Lady Vols finished with six aces. Junior Lily Felts had a team-high three aces, while Natalie Hayward, Coulter and Madison Bryant picked up one apiece.
Up Next
The Lady Vols return home to Thompson-Boling Arena on Oct. 28 and 29 to take on the Georgia Bulldogs. First serve for both matches is 7 p.m. ET.
Team Stats
UT
UK
Kills
43
58
Errors
28
19
Attempts
148
142
Hitting %
.101
.275
Points
59
69.5
Assists
40
56
Aces
6
2
Blocks
10
9.5
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
17
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
6
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
DS/L
/ Volleyball
DS/L
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballOH/RS
/ VolleyballOH
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