Sept. 19, 2000
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Western Kentucky staked its claim as one of the top volleyball teams in the state of Kentucky with a 3-1 (15-8, 15-10, 7-15, 15-13) win over in-state rival Kentucky Tuesday night at Memorial Coliseum. The victory is just the third for the Lady Toppers in 13 lifetime matches against UK with all three wins coming on the road in Lexington.
Western had three players post double-doubles in the contest, led by junior left-side hitter Tara Thomas (Louisville, Ky./Assumption HS), who recorded her third consecutive double-double with a match-high 16 kills and 10 digs. Senior left-side hitter Melissa Starck (Louisville, Ky./Assumption HS) added 14 kills, 14 digs and a .364 hitting percentage, and sophomore setter Sara Noe (Louisville, Ky./Sacred Heart Academy) logged 53 assists and 12 digs for WKU.
The Lady Toppers were in control throughout the first two games, trailing only once during that time. In game one, Western reeled off 10 of the last 12 points to wipe out a 6-5 Kentucky lead and pick up the opening game victory. The beat continued into the second game, as WKU bolted to an 8-2 advantage and held off a late Wildcat charge to go ahead two games to none in the match.
Kentucky came out inspired after the intermission, scoring five of the first six points. The Lady Toppers whittled the deficit to 7-5, but UK answered with eight of the last 10 markers to finish off the game win and cut Western's match lead to one game.
Early in game four, the Wildcats appeared poised to push the match to its limit, opening up a pair of three-point leads (3-0 and 7-4). However, Western had more offensive power in reserve, going on an 8-1 run to turn the game in its favor at 12-8. After WKU reached its first match point at 14-10, Kentucky made one last surge, scoring three straight points to force a Lady Topper timeout. Western promptly earned a sideout and completed the four-game win on a Thomas kill.
Western Kentucky (11-3) returns home to open the 2000 Sun Belt Conference schedule at 7 p.m. (CDT) Friday against Louisiana Tech at E.A. Diddle Arena. It will be the first of three home conference matches over the next five days for the Lady Toppers.
-- WKU --
