South Carolina Volleyball Faces Top-15 Kentucky and Tennessee

The South Carolina volleyball team wraps up the 2026 regular season at home this weekend against two top-15 opponents, facing No. 6 Kentucky on Friday, Nov. 13, for a 7:00 p.m. match and No. 11 Tennessee on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 1:00 p.m.

The Gamecocks stand at 9-14 overall and 2-11 in the SEC following 3-0 losses last week to No. 4 Florida and Auburn. Individual contributors continue to anchor the lineup as the squad prepares for the matches.

Olivia Borgman has paced the offense, leading the team in kills against both Florida and Auburn. She notched 15 kills against Florida, marking her highest total in a three-set match this season and the most recorded by any player on either side of the net. Borgman has led the Gamecocks in kills for 13 matches, reaching double digits in all but one appearance.

Directing the offense, Kiana Dinn handed out 23 assists against Florida and 15 against Auburn. Her 23 assists against the Gators represent a season-high for a three-set match, while Dinn also contributed three aces against Auburn. On the defensive end, Lilly Gillespie has led or tied for the team lead in digs in every match this year, recording 20 or more digs in seven of those performances.

Friday’s contest against Kentucky features a full-circle moment on the opposing sideline for head coach Sarah Rumely Noble. The Wildcats are led by Craig Skinner, who coached Noble during her playing career at Kentucky from 2006 to 2009. That collegiate success ultimately earned Noble a place in the Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame.

Kentucky enters the weekend with an 18-5 record and 10-3 conference standing, currently ranking second in the SEC. The Wildcats arrive on a three-match win streak, boasting an offense driven by Brooklyn DeLeye’s 368 kills and 2025 SEC Freshman of the Year Kassie O’Brien’s 950 assists.

Kentucky holds a 44-19 advantage in the series record and is riding a six-match win streak against South Carolina, with the Gamecocks’ last victory in the series coming during the 2021 season, in a 3-2 showing.

Sunday’s matchup brings No. 11 Tennessee to Columbia. The Volunteers carry an 18-5 overall record and 9-4 SEC mark, ranking fifth in the conference. Kennedi Rogers leads the Tennessee offense with 322 kills, while Caroline Kerr leads with 854 assists. Tennessee leads the series record 45-35, having swept South Carolina 3-0 on Sept. 26, 2025, in Knoxville.

Friday’s match against Kentucky serves as Senior Night, honoring graduating seniors Sydney Floyd and Elizabeth McElveen with pre-match recognition and a post-match ceremony, with 500 rally towels available for fans. Sunday’s contest against Tennessee features a Youth Club Day theme, with 250 friendship bracelets available for fans. Tickets for the Kentucky match can be purchased online, while admission for Sunday’s match against Tennessee and for students at both contests is free.