Cajic Finishes with Program-Record 42 Kills in Win Against Western Michigan

Thursday, September 19

Knoxville

6 pm

University of Tennessee

Western Michigan

Cajic Finishes with Program-Record 42 Kills in Win Against Western Michigan

September 19, 2024 | Volleyball

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Graduate student outside hitter Nina Cajic posted a night for the ages, tallying a remarkable 42 kills to shatter the Tennessee record for kills in a match, fueling the 15th-ranked Lady Vols to a four-set victory (24-26, 25-20, 29-27, 33-31) against Western Michigan on Thursday night.

Cajic's final stat line for the night was 42 kills on 76 attacks for .500 hitting, 13 digs, four blocks and one assist. With an incredible 10.5 kills per set during the performance, she bested the previous record of 41 kills by Stephanie Ehlers against Washington State on Sept. 24, 1988. She also became the first player in SEC history to eclipse 40 kills in a match during the 25-point rally scoring era.

In NCAA Division I history, Cajic became just the second player during the 25-point rally scoring era to have 40-plus kills in a four-set match. Her kills also marked the most by any DI player in a match this season.

The back-and-forth affair saw 49 tied scores and 23 lead changes throughout the four sets. Cajic had 20 kills in the final frame and 30 combined between the third and fourth stanzas.

Sophomore setter Caroline Kerr guided the offense with a career-high 57 assists–an average of 14.25 per set–with 44 percent of her sets ending in a Lady Vol score. She also posted 10 digs and two blocks for her second double-double of the season. Junior middle blocker Keondreya Granberry added 11 kills on .667 hitting and three blocks on the night.

Defensively, senior libero Ashllyn King documented career-best 23 digs and four assists. Freshman middle blocker Chelsea Sutton posted a team-high six blocks to lead the way at the net, while freshman right side Paityn Chapman added three of her own. Redshirt freshman outside hitter Eryn Jones racked up 12 digs, one block and one assist.

Overall, Tennessee (6-3) had 68 kills on .323 hitting with 69 digs, 66 assists, 12 blocks and six aces. Western Michigan (4-6) finished with just .199 hitting on the night and only three blocks against the powerful Big Orange offense.

The Lady Vols opened the match with an 8-2 run thanks to three aces by Chapman, forcing Western Michigan to call a timeout. The Broncos responded with an 18-9 run of their own to pull ahead, and from there, the momentum stayed in WMU's favor. Tennessee was out hit .205 to .108 by Western Michigan in the frame.

After both teams went back and forth to begin the second stanza, the Big Orange used a 15-6 swing to draw even in the match at 1-1. Cajic led the offense with seven kills, two digs and one block. Sutton came out hot defensively posting four blocks of her own, as UT netted five blocks as a team in the frame. Tennessee had 17 kills on .382 hitting, while holding WMU to 11 kills, six attacking errors and .143 hitting.

Once again, UT and Western Michigan battled for the lead with 14 tie scores and six lead changes. Tennessee outplayed the Broncos for the 27th point, ending the set at .350 hitting compared to WMU's .152 hitting. Cajic collected 10 more kills while Granberry followed with six at 1.000 hitting.

In the fourth frame, neither team could separate from the other with 24 ties and 11 lead changes in the set. However, Tennessee would not be denied, as the incredible match was ended by Cajic's record-breaking kill.

Up next, Tennessee takes on Western Michigan again on Friday at 2 p.m. to round out non-conference play. The match can be streamed on SEC Network+.

An important note to fans planning to attend Friday's contest, UT's Paid Concert Parking will be in effect for the Morgan Wallen concert that night, beginning at 7 a.m. Without a pre-paid concert parking pass, you will not be able to park on campus lots. If fans arrive early to campus for the show but don't have tickets to volleyball, they can present their concert tickets at the ticket office window at Food City Center to receive free general admission to the match.