Freshman setter Emma Grome one reason UK on verge of another SEC title

Kentucky can wrap up its fifth straight SEC championship if it beats Florida this weekend. Kentucky is 15-1 while Florida and Mississippi State, which lost to UK earlier this season, are both 14-2. The Cats host Florida today at 1 p.m. on Senior Day and again Saturday at 1 p.m.

One reason the defending national champions have thrived despite significant losses from last year’s team is freshman setter Emma Grome.

Coach Craig Skinner knows Grome’s consistency in getting to the right spot before the ball is passed has been instrumental in UK’s success and top 10 ranking.

“We have not had many hitting errors recently,” Skinner said. “She is still adjusting to some things, understanding who to set at the right time.”

Grome had 39 assists in UK’s win over Auburn Sunday to push her season total to 1,061. She’s also second on the team with 199 digs.

Senior All-American Alli Stumler said the team had to be “patient” with Grome as she tried to fill the role Madison Lilley, the national player of the year last season, had on the national championship team. Stumler said when the team’s numbers were not like they wanted earlier in the season, they had to understand it would improve with time and more reps.

“I stay after practice or come early to practice and do reps with her because she wants to be really good,” Stumler said. “Our connection off the court has also grown. That just makes it even more fun.”

Skinner’s trust in Grome has grown so much that he is giving her more of the game plan to put into use each match.

“She is a complete player. She digs well, serves well,” the Kentucky coach said. “You can tell she is a volleyball junkie because she just wants to play all the time.