'Cats Handed First Loss by #4 Kentucky at Penn State Invitational

Saturday, September 6

University Park, Pa.

2 PM

University of New Hampshire

4-1,0-0America East

Kentucky

3-1,0-0SEC

New Hampshire

Kentucky

Lucy Chertock led UNH with 10 kills versus #4 Kentucky

'Cats Handed First Loss by #4 Kentucky at Penn State Invitational

9/6/2025 5:53:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

Straight-sets setback snaps four-game win streak to start season

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The UNH volleyball team suffered its first loss of the season Saturday afternoon, falling in straight sets to No. 4 Kentucky, 25-14, 25-12, 25-5, at Rec Hall as part of the Penn State Invitational.

The Wildcats (4-1) were led offensively by freshman outside hitter Lucy Chertock (Danville, Calif.), who tallied 10 kills and added two digs. Junior setter Jessica Shattles (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.) dished out a team-high eight assists and contributed six digs, while senior libero Avery LePore (Franklin, Tenn.) paced the back row with six digs.

Penn State Invitational
#4 Kentucky (3-1) defeats UNH (4-1), 3-0 (25-14, 25-12, 25-5)
Saturday, September 6, 2025 • 2 p.m.
Recreation Hall • University Park, Pa.

UNH opened the match with a competitive first set, trailing just 11-8 before Kentucky (3-1) pulled away with a 14-6 run to close the frame. The Wildcats struggled to find rhythm offensively, hitting just .065 for the match while committing 17 attack errors.

Junior middle blocker Rachel Grier (San Diego, Calif.) chipped in four kills on a .300 hitting percentage, and freshman middle blocker Varvara Zvereva (Korolev, Russia) added two kills and a solo block.

Kentucky, which hit .581 as a team, was led by Eva Hudson with nine kills and a .444 hitting percentage. The Wildcats from the SEC recorded eight service aces and five team blocks, holding UNH to just five points in the final set.

UNH returns to action Sunday to close out its weekend at the Penn State Invitational.

NEXT UP • VS PENN STATE • SEPT. 7 • UNIVERSITY PARK, PA.
•On Sunday, the 'Cats square off with the host and No. 5-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions at 2 p.m. on Big Ten Plus (B1G+).

NEXT HOME MATCH • TUESDAY, SEPT. 16, 6 P.M. VS MERRIMACK
•UNH returns to Lundholm Gym for a non-conference matchup against Merrimack on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. (ESPN+). The Wildcat volleyball program plays its annual Vs. Cancer Game to raise funds and awareness for the fight to cure pediatric brain cancer.

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