SALT LAKE CITY – Saint Mary's led in each of the final two sets, but No. 7 Kentucky's relentless attack led the Wildcats to victory as the Gaels dropped their final contest of the Utah Volleyball Classic.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

 • SET ONE | Kentucky took control early in the opening set, taking an 8-3 advantage out of the gate. The Gaels looked to stage a comeback, but Kentucky built themselves a 12-point, 20-8 lead after winning eight out of nine points. The Wildcats went on to take the set 25-14.
 
• SET TWO | Saint Mary's led early on and the set was all knotted at 3-3 before Kentucky took their first lead of the period. Back-and-forth play ensued and the score remained tied at 5-5. However, the Wildcats took the next four points in response, taking a 9-5 lead. A Kentucky run gave the Wildcats a 6-point, 18-12 advantage and SMC could not recover, falling 25-14.
 
• SET THREE | The Gaels continued to compete in the third set and used a 4-point run to build a 6-4 advantage. However, the Wildcats responded with a run of their own where they scored seven of eight points, including five in a row to lead 11-7. After a Saint Mary's timeout, Kentucky continued to pour on the points with three more unanswered scores, extending the Gaels' deficit to 14-7. Three straight SMC points cut into the lead to make it 14-10, but the Wildcats went on to take the final set 25-14.
 
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
 
Senior Alexsa "Crash" Parker was named to the Utah Volleyball Classic All-Tournament Team after amassing 70 assists in their three contests. She also led the team with five service aces and played all nine sets. She was the only Gael to record a double-double, posting 28 assists and 11 digs in the Gaels' upset over No. 23 Cal Poly.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
 
7: Sophomore Breyan Ashley led SMC with seven kills
17: No. of assists recorded by Parker
13: No. of digs by freshman Kelsey Knudsen (a season-high)

UP NEXT
 
The Gaels will return to Utah next weekend as they will begin the Thunderbird Classic on Thursday, September 5 against host, Southern Utah.  

#GaelsRise – For ticket information to all home volleyball matches, call the SMC Ticket Office today at 925-631-4689 or click the ticket link here to purchase your seats now.