Category Archives: Volleyball

Ty Buck 8:30 am on August 14, 2017  

Kentucky Volleyball: 2017 Expectations 

Why the 2017 team can be special

Kentucky Volleyball is kicking off the 2017 season Wednesday against a WKU team that finished last year in the top 25 nationally.  This is the first game for both teams, and it will be interesting to see how both teams prepare for the season. So, what should you expect from your Kentucky Wildcats? Simple. Consistency and leadership. With 10 of 17 players on the team being upperclassmen, the leadership aspect of the game is there. But, what are some realistic goals for the team? The Cats have been eliminated in the NCAA tournament before making it to the sweet sixteen for four straight years. Kentucky added 4 freshman this year, which respectively earned them the fifth best recruiting class in the nation. Freshman Gabby Curry and Sophomore Leah Edmond attended the Junior World Volleyball Championship this summer and represented team USA. Both said the trip surely added depth to their game and to the team’s overall game when it comes to defense and outside hitting. In addition to the two stars, the veteran leaders include two time reigning First Team SEC Libero Ashley Dusek (Senior) and a Second Team all SEC Outside Hitter Kaz Brown. (Senior) This team is loaded. However, consistency will be what makes or brakes this team. This team has chemistry like none that I have seen in the past four years, and I think the experience mixed with the want to win will set this team into uncharted territory. With half of the games being away, the young Cats will have to learn quick if this year’s team will be special. With notable games against #8 Kansas, #9 Creighton, #12 Florida, #19 Mizzou, #26 USC, and #35 Texas A&M, the Cats will need to be nearly perfect in order to succeed and proceed. All to the pieces are there, and it helps that in addition we have a tenured coaching staff and a great fan base. Will the offseason effort and practice pay off this season? Based on my knowledge, the Volleyball team has prepared all offseason to get back on the court and suit up in the Blue and White. (With New Uniforms, I may add) The Cats are projected to finish third on the SEC this year, only behind Florida and Mizzou. SEC Volleyball should not have many high caliber and nationally ranked teams this year, so UK has a great chance to win the SEC if they can knock off Florida or Mizzou this year. Kentucky also comes in at 14 in the NCAA preseason poll. So, this year expect a close knit, exiting & fast paced, well-rounded, veteran team who I believe will be able to compete with the best. In result, they will ultimately break the barrier and make it to the Sweet Sixteen and possibly beyond this year. If you want to catch the Volleyball team in action this year, single game tickets can be found here.

The only exhibition game of the season will be on Wednesday at Memorial Colesium at 5:00 EST against #27 WKU- So come out and support your Volleyball Cats!

  • Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to follow @KentuckyVB & @Uksportsalldaybbn on Twitter! Let me know what you y’all would like to hear about regarding Kentucky football and/or all of the less-popular sports! Thanks again!
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danielmeece 9:17 pm on September 21, 2016
Tags: , , , , Volleyball,   

Kentucky Leads Georgia 

For a sport I don’t know much about, this game, er match?, is getting me hyped! I love that these ladies are getting kills! We look pretty good out there! Go Volleyball Cats!

danielmeece 11:17 pm on June 21, 2016  

UK volleyball earns sportsmanship award

https://twitter.com/kentuckyvb/status/743462574356856832

@freakahleak_

 

On November 1st, UK and LSU was warming up in preparation for an conference matchup. Cati Leak, a senior  outside hitter for the Tigers, unfortunately suffered a horrible season ending foot injury while jumping to spike a ball. She thought that she had just sprained her ankle but there was blood everywhere on the floor and panic set in. She was rushed to the hospital where she found out that she broke 3 bones and completely dislocated her ankle. 
The Kentucky volleyball team showed an immense amount of respect for Cati and her family. The helped with the transportation to and from the hospital, provided a hotel room for her family and an assistant coach from LSU, and spent a lot of time visiting Leak in the hospital giving her kind words and encouragement. Leak has said that during the time in hospital she felt like she was a part of the Kentucky program. 

This honor for the Wildcats is the 1st for any UK player or program. UK volleyball was joined by University of Florida track and field’s Lloydricia Cameron and Leonard Fournette from LSU as recipients of the award this year. Thanks goes out to all the recipients for being a great example for all student-athletes to look up to.