Libero Gabby Curry is one of four UK seniors hoping to get UK to the Final Four this season. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky volleyball coach Craig Skinner has seen finger-pointing directed at some schools over COVID-19 issues this season that have postponed/canceled games or put teams on pause.
“I don’t understand that (finger pointing),” he said. “I am sure that would suck if you were Duke basketball (and had to bail out of the ACC Tournament due to a positive COVID-19 test) but hopefully we have done the right things.
“When we get to the NCAA (Tournament), we will be tested every day. We are tested three times a week now. Fingers crossed we have no false positives because then you are in a whole different scenario. We have a list of about 20 what-if scenarios and have gone through several of them in terms of what could happen.”
Skinner has a lot at stake. His team is 16-0 and leading the Southeastern Conference by two games going into this weekend’s matches at Florida — the team closest to UK. Kentucky is coming off two more wins over Ole Miss last weekend and is ranked No. 3 nationally.
Skinner likes for his team to be challenged and appreciates the team having a high set of standards as it gets near NCAA tournament play.
“The benefit we have is yes, we have very experienced players and good players and also extremely talented young players,” Skinner said. “We are good offensively and defensively.
“If you just rely on one or two players on offense or defense, you would not see this (winning) streak. My favorite thing is defense and holding teams to a low (hitting) percentage. You can’t prepare for a good defense and that’s one of our biggest abilities to be successful.”
