December 4, 2006 - Former National Capital and University of Kentucky sophomore Tess Edwards and the Kentucky Wildcats travelled to Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana on November 30th to battle the Ohio University Bobcats in the first round of the 64-team NCAA volleyball tournament.  The Wildcats upset the highly-touted Bobcats in 5 thrilling sets (20-30, 30-27, 24-30, 30-26, 15-9).  Tess scored 6 kills in the match, including a setter dump to seal the victory in Set 4.

The following evening, UK faced off against the #14 ranked Boilermakers of Purdue University for the right to travel to Seattle, Washington to battle (what would turn out to be) the #3 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions in the 'Sweet 16' round.  But UK never really found their rhythm against the huge blocking game of the Lady Boilermakers.  Despite Tess' team-leading 6 blocks and .294 hitting percentage, the Wildcats went down to defeat in straight sets (21-30, 28-30, 26-30).  It was the first time since the 1992 season that the Wildcats had advanced this far in the NCAA tournament.

Our crack team of statisticians is currently looking into whether an Ottawa-born player has ever gone this far in U.S. womens volleyball's 'Big Dance'.  Congratulations Tess on a great season.