Kentucky freshmen were all smiles after winning their first SEC title. Now they are part of the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. (UK Athletics Photo)
Kentucky is the No. 2 overall seed in the NCAA Volleyball Tournament, its highest seed ever after being fourth overall in 2017. Wisconsin is the No. 1 overall seed with Minnesota third, Texas fourth, Nebraska fifth, Washington sixth, Purdue seventh, and Florida eighth. Florida was the only SEC team to beat UK. Kentucky will open play in the NCAA Tournament bubble in Omaha Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. against the winner of Illinois State-UNLV. A potential matchup with Western Kentucky looms in the Sweet 16 if Western can beat Jackson State in the first round and then upset No. 15 seed Washington State.
Kentucky coach Craig Skinner said “we are very lucky and fortunate” to even be having an NCAA championship because of COVID protocols and is thrilled with his team’s seeding.
Skinner’s first coaching job was at Wisconsin and he came to UK from Nebraska. He only “dreamed” of getting his team to the position those two annual national powers are.
“Earning a top seed is huge,” Skinner, who was named SEC Coach of the Year Sunday for his team’s 19-1 SEC mark, said.
Senior Madison Lilley was named SEC Player of the Year and Gabby Curry, another senior, was named SEC Libero of the Year. Another senior, Avery Skinner, also earned All-SEC honors along with junior Alli Stumler, sophomore Azhani Tealer, and freshman Madi Skinner.
“I am so proud of the efforts these seniors put in. It also says a lot about the depth of our talent that we get that many players (with all-SEC honors),” Skinner said. “No way that could have happened 10 years ago.”
Kentucky (19-1) has not played since completing a sweep of Alabama on March 25. That means UK will have almost a three-week break before it opens NCAA play.
“I will tell you how stupid coaches are. You worry if it is a three-week break but we would worry if we played and had to play again the next day,” Skinner said. “We find something to be stressed about.”
However, he noted UK had over a two-month break before SEC play resumed in late January after the fall season ended in mid-November.
“I have never worried about the team being ready for the next challenge until now,” Skinner said. “They have been prepared each and every time. You get into a situation like this talent is important but the intangibles are more important. We have to have fun and enjoy it. We went all season not even knowing if we would play tomorrow.”
Skinner noted playing in a bubble at a convention center with four courts creates a very different NCAA experience for every team.
“I think that will be the biggest challenge for all teams going to Omaha,” Skinner said.
He will continue to lean on his seniors as teams go through COVID testing and protocols and even practicing at one court before getting 30 minutes or less to warm up on the court where they will be playing.
“We can tell them everything to look out for but there might be a curveball,” the UK coach said. “We feel fortunate to have a great upper-class group. Our seniors adjust and we will continue to trust them.”
“At this point, everybody hits harder. Everybody is athletic. Are we better at scoring points when it is not how you drew it up than other teams? We have to assume we are not going to play perfect and if we are not playing as well as we can we win. Every team is good.”
