Sooners Drop Four-Set Match to No. 4 Kentucky

Friday, October 16

6 p.m.

University of Oklahoma

10-5,3-3SEC

#4 Kentucky

14-3,6-1SEC

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Kentucky	25	25	25	25	3
Oklahoma	21	22	27	16	1

Sooners Drop Four-Set Match to No. 4 Kentucky

October 16, 2026 | Volleyball

Box Score

NORMAN - Oklahoma volleyball took a tightly contested third set but ultimately fell to No. 4 Kentucky 3-1 (21-25, 22-25, 27-25, 16-25) Friday night at McCasland Field House.

The Sooners (10-5, 3-3 SEC) battled back to take the third set after dropping the opening two frames, but Kentucky (14-3, 6-1 SEC) pulled away in the fourth to secure the victory.

Junior Carley Butler led Oklahoma with 13 kills on a .600 hitting percentage, committing just one error on 20 attempts while adding five block assists. Sophomore Tekoa Barnes followed with 12 kills, while sophomore Alyssa Flack added 10.

Senior Elise Hani turned in an efficient performance with eight kills and no errors on 12 swings for a .667 hitting percentage. As a team, Oklahoma recorded 53 kills and hit .231 on the night.

Sophomore Avaya Maga dished out 42 assists and added four block assists, while junior Kinsley Singleton led the defensive effort with 15 digs. Sophomore Aniya Warren followed with 14 digs as the Sooners totaled 50.

SET ONE
The opening frame featured 10 ties as the teams traded points throughout the early going. Oklahoma took a 10-8 lead before Kentucky used a 4-0 run to move ahead 12-10.

The Sooners regained the advantage at 16-14 behind a Flack kill and a OU signature triple block from Flack, Butler and Maga. Kentucky responded with a 7-3 stretch to take a 21-19 lead, but Oklahoma answered with consecutive kills from Barnes and Alaleh Tolliver to tie the frame at 21. The Wildcats scored the final four points to claim the opening set, 25-21.

SET TWO
Oklahoma and Kentucky traded points early before the Sooners built an 11-8 advantage behind a Tolliver kill. The Wildcats responded with a 7-1 run to take a 15-12 lead.

Kentucky extended its advantage to 19-15, but Oklahoma continued to battle, cutting the deficit to 21-19 following a Hani kill. The Wildcats reached set point at 24-20 before kills from Tolliver and Flack brought the Sooners within two. Kentucky closed out the frame with a kill to take the set 25-22 and build a 2-0 match lead.

SET THREE
Oklahoma jumped out to a 10-6 lead in the third set before Kentucky rallied to even the score at 11. The Sooners responded with a 5-3 stretch to regain a 16-14 advantage.

OU maintained its lead and extended it to 23-19 behind three consecutive kills from Mikala Young. Kentucky answered with four straight points to tie the frame at 23.

The Wildcats earned set point at 25-24, but Butler responded with a kill to even the score. Back-to-back Kentucky attack errors gave Oklahoma the 27-25 victory and forced a fourth set.

SET FOUR
The teams traded points early before Kentucky used a 5-1 run to take a 10-6 lead. The Wildcats continued to build their advantage, extending the margin to 15-9 midway through the frame. Oklahoma pulled within five at 16-11 behind a Hani kill, but Kentucky maintained control down the stretch.

LOOKING AHEAD
Oklahoma concludes its homestand Sunday, Oct. 18, hosting No. 9 Tennessee at McCasland Field House.