Lauren Tharp (UK Athletics)
After rolling through its first 16 matches, Kentucky volleyball got a rude dose of reality when it lost in five sets at Florida Friday. However, Kentucky responded like a national power should — it swept the Gators in three sets Saturday to retain a two-match lead in the Southeastern Conference standings.
“The weekend as a whole was one of the best weekends we could have had,” junior Lauren Tharp said. “We had that feeling on Friday of what it was like to lose for the first time this year.
“It was the first time this season we played a team that challenged us more than most teams. But the way we spent Friday night, Saturday morning preparing. The coaches watched a lot of film and made a lot of adjustments.
“It was just impressive to see everyone come out knowing our roles and the adjustments we were making that allowed us to get a great win.”
No. 3 Kentucky hosts Alabama (7-13) Wednesday and Thursday nights at Memorial Coliseum in what could be its final two home matches — or regular-season matches — depending on what the SEC decides to do about matches with Texas A&M and South Carolina that were halted by COVID protocols in those programs.
Senior All-American Madison Lilley was named the SEC Setter of the Week for her play against Florida. She set a new season-high with 59 assists on Friday and had 34 assists in Kentucky’s sweep over No. 7 Florida. She has had 11 matches this season with 40 or more assists, and 56 in her career.
Tharp’s numbers are not as mind-boggling but her serving has been a huge asset for UK this season. Coach Craig Skinner has praised her serving constantly.
“I think my serve has gotten better. I have been working with (assistant coach) Anders (Nelson) a lot and trying to get my jump higher and more pace with flow,” Tharp said. “If I can come in and get us on a run and mess up passers on the other side, that helps us make runs. I have really been working hard on that.
“Our coaches are really emphasizing picking a small place on the court and focusing on that. It’s easy to pass if it (the serve) is right to you. I am trying to serve places that are tougher to pass. Some deep, some short. Just pass the serve all around so the passers are not comfortable at all with what is coming.”
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Tickets are available in limited quantities at UKathletics.com/tickets for the Alabama matches.
