The 2024 volleyball season is winding down, and with it, the Big Ten battles have wrapped up, while the NCAA tournament races toward its thrilling conclusion. The Sweet 16 is stacked with powerhouses, featuring teams like Missouri, Kentucky Volleyball, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Florida, Stanford, Purdue, Louisville, Texas, Creighton, Marquette, Penn State, Texas A&M, Wisconsin, Dayton, and Nebraska. Among these, Nebraska stole the Big Ten spotlight, sharing the title with Penn State and carrying their dominance straight into the NCAA season, landing them a coveted spot in the Sweet 16 alongside some of the best squads in the game.

With the semifinals kicking off on December 12th, the excitement is electric, and fans are buzzing for the first match-up between Missouri and Kentucky Volleyball. But before Kentucky hits the court to battle it out for a shot at glory, let’s dive into everything you need to know about this team that’s ready to bring the heat!

Kentucky Volleyball and its recent achievements!

Kentucky Volleyball began this season and immediately felt the heat as they faced some tough teams such as Nebraska, Louisville, Penn State, Stanford, SMU, and Purdue. Yeah, the Cats got a few bruises along the way, but that tough non-conference schedule wasn’t for naught—as it’s paying dividends now in the most important games of the season. On 6th December 2024, they took care of business, topping No.15 Minnesota 3-1 in the NCAA Volleyball Tournament at Historic Memorial Coliseum. The Cats started the match on a high note with a 25-11 set, before losing the second set and gaining steam in the later rounds in an extremely close contest.

Senior setter Emma Grome summed it up perfectly: “The reason that we play the tough non-conference schedule is to be prepared this time of year. We might have lost those games, but we learned a lot from them.” That growth was on full display as Kentucky battled hard through the match. Even when Minnesota pushed back hard after the opening set, the Cats stayed locked in. Grome added, “We knew we needed to sustain our level of energy and play, and while it dipped a little, we were able to bring it back up and keep it steady.” So, who are these fierce Cats tearing up the court, and the brains behind the operation making it all come together?

Cats and their mastermind!

Do you ever find yourself wondering who these Kentucky Volleyball Cats are, and what makes this team so formidable on the court? Well, the wait is over – meet the 15 powerhouses propelling this unstoppable roster! Beginning with the outside hitters, we have Megan Wilson, Haley Melby, Erin Lamb, and Hannah Benjamin, and the powerhouse duo, Brooklyn DeLeye and Asia Thigpen. On the setter central are Ava Sarafa, Emma Grome, and Lane Jenkins making the perfect sets for the team. In the middle, Delaney Hogan, Jordyn Dailey, Brooke Bultema, and Kennedy Washington hold it down. And of course, we can’t forget the libero stars Eleanor Beavin and Molly Tuozzo—these ladies are Kentucky’s secret sauce for success.

But every great team needs a mastermind, and that’s where head coach Craig Skinner comes in. Since taking the reins in December 2004, Skinner hasn’t just coached a team—he’s built a dynasty. With 444 wins under his belt and counting, this guy turned Kentucky Volleyball into a household name. And let’s not forget the 2020 NCAA National Championship, where Skinner and the Cats made history as the first-ever SEC team to snag the title. Oh, and did we mention he was named AVCA National Coach of the Year for that epic season? No big deal—just a little something to add to his stacked résumé.

During Skinner’s tenure, Kentucky has made 19 consecutive NCAA tournaments, nine Sweet Sixteens, two Elite Eights, and a Final Four in 2020. He has also guided the Cats to seven straight SEC championships from 2017 to 2023 – quite a streak! And let’s not forget the cherry on top: guiding players such as Madison Lilley to national prominence as she earned her AVCA Player of the Year award in 2021. Skinner’s not just coaching volleyball; he’s writing a new script on how to be a winner. Kentucky fans, rise up and applaud because this team, and their coach, are giving us all a lot to look forward to!