Box Score 
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Senior Mariel Frey (Lititz,
Pa.) averaged 2.86 kills in two matches and sophomore
libero Marisa Low (Carlsbad,
Calif.) provided 3.71 digs, but Virginia Commonwealth
University couldn't overcome No. 16 Kentucky and No. 17
Florida State in 3-0 and 3-1 losses, respectively, Saturday at
UK's Memorial Coliseum.
"We have made a ton of progress, but just couldn't
finish today," said VCU Head Coach James
Finley. "We played a lot better. We came from behind
to beat Florida State in game two. There were moments of greatness.
We're just continually growing and playing on a higher level
than last week and the week before."
The Rams (1-9) have already played four teams ranked in the AVCA
Coaches 25 Poll this season, including three-time defending
national champion Penn State. VCU has played eight matches against
"BCS Conference" schools.
Junior Jessica Ojukwu (Sao Paulo, Brazil) was
named to the University of Kentucky Invitational All-Tournament
Team after recording an average of 2.40 kills and 2.20 digs per set
in three matches.
Here is a recap of each match:
Match 1: #16 Kentucky 3, VCU 0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-17)
Ojukwu blasted a team-high nine kills and Low dug 13 balls, but the
host Wildcats held on for the win. VCU's .202 hitting
percentage for the match was its highest of the weekend, but
wasn't enough to overcome Kentucky, which hit .316.
Freshman setter Ciara Brown (Fort Myers, Fla.)
handed out 25 assists and was credited with 11 digs, while
sophomore Kristin Boyd (Wilmington, N.C.) added
six kills and hit .357 for the Rams.
Three Wildcats had 10 kills apiece, including Whitney Billings, who
also collected three total blocks.
VCU trailed, 24-19 in the second set, but pulled within 24-23 after
a double block by Boyd and junior Courtney Hott
(Fredericksburg, Va.), followed by a Ojukwu kill and a Low
service ace. However, Kentucky's Lauren Rapp halted the rally
with a kill to give the Wildcats a 25-23 victory.
Match 2: #17 Florida State 3, VCU 1 (25-18, 26-28, 25-15,
25-18)
The Rams put a dent in the 8-1 Seminoles with a victory in the
second set, but couldn't get any closer.
Frey hammered 13 kills and added 10 digs and four blocks for the
Black and Gold. Senior Kelsie Clegg (Boise, Idaho)
tacked on six kills and six blocks for the Rams.
FSU's Stephanie Neville was nearly flawless, registering 16
kills and a .571 hitting percentage. She did not commit a hitting
error.
VCU jolted Florida State in the second set, when the Rams rode six
kills each by Frey and Boyd to a 28-26 victory. VCU hit .389 in the
frame and was credited with 4.5 blocks.
The Rams used a 7-3 burst late in the set, fueled by three Boyd
kills, to pull even at 24-24. At 26-26, Frey blocked Marija
Milosavljevic for a 27-26 advantage. On the ensuing play, she
spiked a kill to complete the comeback.
Florida State steadied itself, hitting .333 and .289 on sets three
and four, respectively, to earn the Seminoles a 3-1 win.
VCU returns to action on Tuesday, Sept. 14, when the Rams host
Georgetown at the Verizon Wireless Arena at 7 p.m.
