By Logan Starkey
Hayden Kubik notched a career best 18 kills in Tennessee’s 3-0 sweep of the Samford Bulldogs in Friday’s midday contest.
Kubik dominated the early portion of the matchup, posting nine of her 18 kills in just the first set. But her mind was far from focused on her individual success.
“Honestly, I just wanted to win the game,” Kubik said. “I was just hitting it hard and going for it.”
Despite her personal success, Kubik stressed that the game was won by depth rather than by any one player.
“What we care about is how much depth we have on the team,” Kubik said. “I tried to do my job the best I could.”
Lady Vols coach Eve Rackham Watt shared similar sentiments.
“It is a luxury to be able to switch in and out of systems,” Rackham Watt said.
The team worked as a unit, with Caroline Kerr serving 28 assists through the contest and assisting most of Kubik’s kills.
Rackham Watt emphasized It was Kubik’s confident play in her role on both offense and defense that led to the win against Samford.
“She’s got a really high Volleyball IQ,” Rackham Watt said. “She’s always been a really good defender.”
Kubik proved Rackham Watt correct with intense defensive play, posting eight digs. That mark was good enough for second most on the team.
The Lady Vols face a quick turn around, facing Winthrop at 7 p.m. later tonight.
Kubik emphasized that the team, including herself, have to forget the success against Samford in order to correctly prepare for the game in quick fashion.