The No. 3 Kentucky women’s volleyball team completed a two-game sweep over No. 9 Missouri Thursday night after a 3-1 victory (19-25, 25-21, 25-13, 25-16) in Columbia.  

Kentucky set the tone early and raced out to an early 10-5 lead in the first set, forcing a Missouri timeout. The Tigers would rally, however, utilizing a 11-4 run to take a two-point lead at 16-14. Missouri coasted the rest of the way, finishing the frame and grabbing a 1-0 lead in the match.  

From there the Wildcats took control, winning the final three sets en-route to their third straight 3-1 match victory. 

After 21 kills last night, junior Alli Stumler was sensational once again, tallying a match-high 22 terminations on a .241 hitting and two service aces. The junior combined for 43 kills in two matches against the Tigers. Not to be outdone, sophomore Azhani Tealer registered a career-high 14 kills on an impressive .458 attacking clip. The middle blocker also added a pair of service aces and a dig in the winning effort. 

While quiet compared to her other performances this season, Avery Skinner remained solid on the outside, registering 11 kills while hitting .250. The Katy, Texas native recorded her first double-double of the season by adding 10 digs to the effort as well. Rounding out the scoring was freshman Elise Goetzinger with six kills, with Madison Lilley and Reagan Rutherford each adding four of their own. 

Freshman Sophie Fischer saw her first action of the season after fellow freshman Rutherford went down with an ankle injury early in the third set. Rutherford would not return.  

Defensively, Goetzinger led the charge on the front line, registering a match-high five rejections. Tealer and Fischer each added three and Lilley had one.  

Gabby Curry was fantastic in the back row once again, reaching double-digit digs for the fourth-consecutive match with 15 scoops. Lilley added eleven of her own and dished out 47 assists, good for her third double-double of the season.  

With the win, Kentucky improves to 4-0 and 2-0 against ranked competition and remain in a four-way tie for first atop the SEC. The Wildcats will be back in action on Saturday, November 7 at home for a two-game series against Auburn. First serve is set for 4:00 pm.