Casper dies from injures
November 24, 2008 by hawaiibillT
Filed under Womens Sports
Jenni Casper, the record-setting former University of Kentucky volleyball player injured in a car accident early Saturday, has died.
Casper, 24, was pronounced dead at 1:27 p.m. Sunday by UK Hospital staff members.
She had been critically injured at 1:43 a.m. Saturday, when, according to police, she was driving on Chinoe Road and apparently lost control of her car negotiating a curve near Fontaine Road. Casper’s car hit a tree, Lt. Scott Blakely of the Lexington police department said Saturday.
Police believe speed and alcohol were factors in the crash, Lt. Garry Sennett of Lexington police said Sunday.
Casper, who played for UK from 2003 to 2006, graduated from the university in May 2007. Originally from Louisville and a graduate of Mercy Academy, Casper was the Southeastern Conference record holder in career digs, ranked 13th in NCAA Division I volleyball history in career digs and was a two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
“The Wildcat family is saddened by the loss of Jenni Casper,” UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said in a statement.
“Jenni represented the University of Kentucky and the volleyball program with passion and dignity. She was an intense competitor and amazing individual. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jenni’s family and loved ones during this period of grief.”
UK volleyball Coach Craig Skinner added, “We will do everything we can to carry on Jenni’s legacy of dedication, enthusiasm and unselfishness through our program.”
Information about funeral and memorial arrangements was not available Sunday night.
Wreck injures former UK star
November 22, 2008 by hawaiibillT
Filed under Womens Sports
From the LHL.
One of the most decorated volleyball players to ever play for the University of Kentucky was critically injured early Saturday morning in a car accident in Lexington.
According to police, Jenni Casper, who played for UK from 2003 to 2006, was driving on Chinoe Road and apparently lost control of her car negotiating a curve near La Fontaine Road. Casper’s car hit a tree, said Lt. Scott Blakely, of the Lexington police department.
The accident happened around 1:43 a.m. A spokeswoman for UK said Saturday afternoon that Casper was in critical condition.
Casper, who is originally from Louisville, is the Southeastern Conference record holder in career digs, ranks 13th in NCAA Division I volleyball history in career digs and was a two-time SEC Defensive Player of the year.
UK’s athletic community on Saturday was stunned and saddened by the news of Casper’s wreck, athletic officials said.
“This is someone who accomplished so much and represented the University of Kentucky so well,” said Mitch Barnhart, athletic director for UK. “Jenni is an incredible individual. Really an amazing person.”
Barnhart said that Casper was in the office of Sandy Bell, a senior associate athletics director at UK, on Tuesday. He said that Bell was helping her get a job interview lined up. “Jenni was all fired up over that,” Barnhart said.
Nzenwa Named Preseason All-SEC
August 25, 2008 by hawaiibillT
Filed under Womens Sports
Kentucky returning All-American Queen Nzenwa was selected a preseason All-SEC member Thursday, the first time a Wildcat has received such an honor.
The returning middle blocker, Kentucky’s record holder in block assists, was named first team All-SEC last season, amassing 174 block assists for the season and leading the team with a .371 hitting percentage.
