Kentucky volleyball turning heads and gaining more and more attention daily

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Kentucky players celebrated after beating Washington to advance to the national title game. (Vicky Graff Photo)

Alli Stumler had the perfect word to describe her reaction to a watch party being held at Memorial Coliseum Saturday night when Kentucky plays Texas in the national championship match.

“It is crazy,” Stumler, a junior outside hitter, said. “That is so awesome. Heads are turning and it’s so cool to be part of something not only for Kentucky but for women’s sports. People are noticing and buying in.

“Volleyball is an amazing sport and the girls on the court are so cool. It’s awesome and we are going to keep making history.”

This is Kentucky’s first time in the Final Four and now the Cats have a chance to win their first national championship when they play Texas Saturday night at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN.

“It is a big accomplishment. You can see the excitement and enthusiasm of the players. No one can ever take this away from them,” Kentucky coach Craig Skinner said after the four-set win over Washington Thursday night that put UK into the title game. “We need to enjoy this a couple of hours and then tomorrow it is on.”

Senior setter Madison Lilley was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association Player of the Year earlier Thursday and played that way in the match. She said the team had no panic when it was down midway of set three because it had envisioned being in this spot.

“As seniors, we talk about staying in the moment as much as we can. Eight months ago we were talking about when we are in the championship match. In our minds, we have already been here,” Lilley said.

Freshman Maddi Skinner is not overwhelmed with the thought of playing for a national title, either.

“We talk about embracing the challenge. People stepped up in crucial moments (against Washington),” the freshman said. “We have a lot of people on our team who can do great things.”

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