Gabby Curry (NCAA Photo)
A Southeastern Conference championship ring is nice. A national championship ring is better. No, make that way, way better.
“We will absolutely be having (national championship) rings,” UK senior libero Gabby Curry said.
Curry and her three senior teammates — Madison Lilley, Avery Skinner and Kendyl Paris — met to pick out SEC championship ring designs before UK played in the NCAA Tournament and won UK’s first national championship.
However, the ring company representative “pushed the big ones” toward the seniors to show what national championship rings could be like.
“They are nice, really nice,” Curry said on WPBK-FM radio Thursday morning.
Curry and her teammates were welcomed back to Lexington with a celebration at Memorial Coliseum. However, volleyball fans may have a chance soon to have a more personal meet and greet with the seniors.
“I am sure the other seniors and I will maybe do a little (autograph) signing opportunity for everyone to come out and see us. I think that would be super fun,” Curry said. “Pretty sure we will be posting information about that.
‘It will just be another way to celebrate our championship and also give back to the fans who supported us. Personally, I would like to give back in any way I can, so we are working on it.”
Curry has a dynamic personality and hopefully either the seniors — or just her — may also consider going out in the state to let fans, especially young volleyball players, have chances to meet them because the national champions have a lot of fans.
“Winning a national championship was pretty cool but coming back to Kentucky and having random fans who have never watched volleyball but watched us and love the game now and recognizing Kentucky volleyball is so cool,” Curry said. “I am so glad everyone is on the bandwagon. I just could not be more thankful for our fans.”
Curry still remembers the postgame celebration after UK beat Texas to win the national title when she got a phone call from a friend — one of many she got but one she decided to answer. The friend was at the celebration on campus.
“I told everyone what my friend was showing me and they all ran over to see. There were all these police lights and so many people,” Curry said. “We were all freaking out. It was just the best feeling.”
