#9 Lady Vols Rally for Reverse Sweep Victory over #4 Kentucky

Wednesday, October 21

Knoxville, Tenn.

7 p.m. ET

University of Tennessee

15-3,6-2SEC

Kentucky

15-4,7-2SEC

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
Kentucky	25	25	19	21	10	2
Tennessee	17	18	25	25	15	3

Lady Vols Celebrate Reverse Sweep Victory over Kentucky

October 22, 2026 | Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- In a battle of top 10 teams, No. 9 Tennessee battled back from a two-set deficit to pull off the reverse sweep and take down No. 4 Kentucky (17-25, 18-25, 25-19, 25-21, 15-10) on Wednesday night at Food City Center.

The win marked the first victory over a top five opponent since 2005, when the Lady Vols defeated No. 4 Florida in five sets on Oct. 30. The five-set triumph also extended the team's win streak, now standing at six.

The Lady Vols (15-3, 6-2) rallied after dropping the first two sets of the match, finishing with 63 kills. Kennedi Rogers posted her sixth double-double of the season with 13 kills and a career-high 13 digs. Caroline Kerr also notched a double-double with 46 assists and 10 digs, marking the 30th of her career and moving the fifth-year setter into a tie for seventh in program history with fellow setter Natalie Hayward (2020-22). Jalyn Stout was the third Tennessee player to record a double-double with 13 kills and ten digs for the 74th oof her collegiate career.

Middle blocker Chelsea Sutton led Tennessee with a season-high 14 kills on a .538 hitting percentage, adding two blocks. Maggie Dostic did damage on both the offensive and defensive side, logging eight kills and 12 digs. Freshman Camille Perry played a huge role for UT off the bench, setting a new season-high six kills and notching two blocks.

The Wildcats (15-4, 7-2 SEC) also finished with 63 kills on the evening. The Tennessee defense slowed Kentucky's attack after a strong start, holding the Wildcats to a .136 hitting percentage over the final three sets.

Kentucky jumped out to an early lead in the first set, building a seven-point advantage. Tennessee tried to rally but could not overcome the deficit, dropping the opening set. Stout led the Lady Vols with four kills, while Kerr added seven assists.

After both teams traded points to open the second set, Kentucky would use a pair of runs to pull ahead 19-13. UT fought to close the ga[ but could not cut into the deficit, as the Wildcats took a two-set lead.

The third set remained tight throughout, featuring eight ties and two lead changes. The teams stayed within one point of each other until a 3-0 run gave Tennessee a 10-7 advantage. Kentucky answered with a 3-0 run of its own to tie the set at 12. After falling behind midway through the frame, the Lady Vols scored six consecutive points to seize control and earn their first set victory of the match. Rogers led the charge with five kills, while Sutton added two blocks to anchor Tennessee at the net.

A 6-1 run early in the fourth set gave the Big Orange a lead they would not relinquish. The Lady Vols held off each Kentucky comeback attempt to even the match and force a fifth set. Sutton paced the offense with four kills, while the trio of Perry, Rogers and Stout were close behind with three.

Both teams traded points to begin the final frame, until Tennessee responded to take a two-point lead. From there both, Tennessee would keep Kentucky at bay, before consecutive kills by Sutton gave it a 13-9 lead. Tennessee finished the job in the fifth, completing the comeback effort to get the win. Stout fueled the offense with four kills to seal the victory.

Up next, the Lady Vols continue their homestand as they host No. 22 Vanderbilt on Sunday afternoon. The match is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET and will be televised on SEC Network.