Stumler’s 11 kills pace Kentucky to series-opening win
ATHENS, Ga. – February 13, 2021
The No. 3 University of Kentucky Volleyball team made another statement on Saturday afternoon, sweeping the Georgia Bulldogs 3-0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-17) at Stegeman Coliseum to move to 11-0 on the season in game one of the series with UGA.
Junior Alli Stumler recorded a match-high 11 kills on Saturday, leading a balanced Kentucky attack which hit .357 for the match. Stumler was one of three Wildcats who had nine-plus kills, joining Avery Skinner who belted nine terminations, along with sophomore middle blocker, Azhani Tealer who had nine, as well.
Kentucky improves to 11-0 on the season in the Southeastern Conference-only schedule. The Wildcats will complete its two-match series with Georgia on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET live on the SEC Network+, ESPN app and ESPN3.
Madison Lilley continued her stellar season with 28 assists on Saturday coupled with three kills and three blocks. Gabby Curry led the way on defense with 11 digs as she and Avery Skinner’s six digs held Georgia to -.044 hitting as a team.
Set One
Kentucky raced out to an 11-7 series on a Madi Skinner kill from the pin to put UK up four points, which was UK’s highest lead of the match to that point. Avery Skinner bookended the timeout with a kill of her own from the left side and UK was off and running from there. The Wildcats extended their lead to 16-8 and when UGA found itself being doubled up, they burned their second timeout of the frame. An attack error ended the set, with UK taking it 25-11.
Set Two
UK raced out to another quick start in the second set, leading 10-5 thanks to Azhani Tealer beginning to take over the match. Tealer jumped out of the gym to give UK a 15-7 lead in the game and after that kill, Georgia burned its second timeout trailing by seven. UK went on an 8-1 run in the middle of the set thanks to the incredible serving of Lauren Tharp before an attack error ended the run with UK up double-digits at 20-10. A kill by Alli Stumler ended the set with a 25-15 win.
Set Three
Azhani Tealer started the third set the way she left off the second set, as she had a thunderous kill from the middle of the court. It was a 6-1 lead for Kentucky just seven points into the frame before UGA worked its way back into the set and pilled to within one at 6-5 off an error. Back-to-back kills by the Skinner sisters put Kentucky ahead by six at 12-6 and the Bulldogs called a timeout. Out of the timeout, Madison Lilley’s serves put the Wildcats up 16-7 and UK cruised on to a victory 25-17 thanks to an Avery Skinner kill.
