Photo - Vicky Graff
It was a memorable night for Kentucky coach Craig Skinner and the UK volleyball program.
“We had a record media credential request. That’s a pretty cool step for volleyball and our program,” said Skinner. “To put the (national championship) banner up and have fans share with us what we achieved was special for our players and former players.”
No. 3 Kentucky overpowered Northern Iowa 25-5, 25-17, 25-19) behind Madi Skinner’s 12 kills and five blocks after the Cats revealed the 2020 NCAA National Championship banner in Memorial Coliseum. UK President Dr. Eli Capiloito, UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart and Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey all participated in the banner unveiling and Barnhart also gave Sankey a 2020 NCAA Championship ring.
“It was a very good crowd,” Craig Skinner said. “There are still people fearful of being in a crowd, so some normally who would be here were not here.”
Those that came got to see why the UK coach likes his team despite significant graduation losses off the 2020 championship team.
Azhani Tealer and All-American Alli Stumler both had 11 kills and UK held Northern Iowa to .048 hitting. Sophomore Riah Walker and senior Lauren Tharp both had 10 digs and freshman Eleanor Beavin had eight. Tealer also had six blocks.
Kentucky came out on fire after the banner unveiling and used an 11-0 streak to dominate the first set.
“Sometimes errors are momentum killers and we did not have many errors in that first set,” Craig Skinner said. “What makes this team have a chance to be very good is we play clean.”
(Photos – Vicky Graff)
