Volleyball Hosts Kentucky in Possible Historic Home Finale
11/13/2004 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
 |
|
TUSCALOOSA - Fans of the University of Alabama volleyball team will not only have a chance to see the Tide's senior class play their final career home match but will also likely see some history when Bama hosts Kentucky on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in the CAVE.
The Crimson Tide enter the match at 19-7 overall and 9-6 in the SEC. Alabama is tied with Arkansas atop the SEC Western Division and a win against Kentucky (12-15, 3-12 SEC) would give them a share of the title marking just the second in program history. Bama captured their first West crown in 2000.
A victory would also give UA double digit SEC wins for the fourth time in five years and mark the third 20-win season in the last five years. It would also be only the fifth 20-win season for the Tide since 1989.
In addition to team successes, Sunday's match could also produce a couple of impressive individual milestones for a pair of Alabama seniors.
Senior All-American candidate Erin Heffner looks to put another feather in her career cap on Sunday needing just one kill to become only the third player in SEC history to record 2,000 kills in a career. Heffner, who leads the SEC and ranks seventh in the nation for kills per game, has recorded double-digit kills 98 times in her career including a current streak of 40 consecutive matches.
Senior middle blocker Julie Farley is also on pace for some history needing just two block assists against Kentucky to become Alabama's all-time career leader in that category. Former UA standout Shelly Adamcik holds the record with 357 from 1999-2002.
"I really hope the fans of Alabama Volleyball will come out on Sunday and be a part of what could be a very special day in this program's history," said UA head coach Judy Green. "This team has worked hard to get to the point we are at and this group of seniors is a huge reason for the success we've had the past few seasons. Erin (Heffner), Julie (Farley) and Kory (Tull) have represented this program and university at the highest level both on and off the court and deserve a tremendous send-off."
The Crimson Tide's senior trio of Heffner, Farley and Kory Tull along with retired player Jennifer Cusimano and graduate assistant trainer Mandy Stowers will all be honored in a post-match reception on Sunday.
Alabama continues play next weekend when the Tide participates in the SEC Championship Tournament starting with a likely match against Georgia or LSU on Friday at the O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla.
