Lady Vols lose in four against Wildcats

For the first time since 1995, the Tennessee women's volleyball team lost a third consecutive match to SEC rival Kentucky.

Newcomers accounted for 41 kills and eight blocks in the Wildcats' 30-28, 30-28, 22-30, 30-24 victory Wednesday night before a crowd of 1,158 at Memorial Coliseum.

Sophomore transfer Brooke Bartek had a career-high 16 kills for Kentucky (13-3, 4-1 SEC).

Tennessee (7-5, 2-3) squandered late leads in the first and second games.

"This is another disappointing loss,'' UT coach Rob Patrick said. "I felt that we did a good job of carrying out the game plan, but we made too many unforced errors at the wrong times that allowed Kentucky to close some leads in games one and two."

Jena Berg recorded her sixth consecutive double-double with 46 assists and 18 digs for UT. Chloe Goldman had 19 digs.

Soccer: The 10th-ranked Tennessee Lady Vols, who are off to their best start in program history at 5-1-1, open SEC play by hosting South Carolina at 8 tonight at Regal Soccer Stadium.

The match will be televised by Fox Soccer Channel.

No. 12 South Carolina (8-1) opened with a 1-0 victory over defending national champion North Carolina, giving the Tar Heels' their first loss in a home opener in their 29-year history.