Madi Skinner (Vicky Graff Photo)
As a freshman Madi Skinner helped Kentucky win a national championship, the first in school history, and as a sophomore averaged a team-best 3.78 kills, 1.21 digs and 0.48 blocks per set. However, she decided after her sophomore season to enter the transfer portal and will play her junior season at Texas, her home state.
The 6-2 Skinner is a powerful outside hitter.
“Honored to have had the opportunity to wear blue for the past 2 years. Thank you Kentucky Volleyball, my amazing teammates, and BBN for all the love and support over the past 2 years. With that being said I’m excited to announce that I will be coming back to Tx! Hook ’em!” Skinner posted on Instagram when she left Kentucky.
Kentucky coach Craig Skinner said he had “great conversations” with her while she was at Kentucky. Her sister, Avery, also played on UK’s national championship team before transferring to Baylor as a graduate student last season.
“Avery wanted to stay here and finish her Master’s but could not because it did not work for her,” the UK coach said. “For Madi, getting closer to home was important to her.
“She loved the program and staff here. She just felt being close to home was important to her.”
The Kentucky coach did not try to downplay the significance of her loss.
“It was a bummer for us but every program in the country is working through that,” Craig Skinner said. “I don’t want to say the transfer portal is a buzzword. It does create opportunities for current players.
“I wish Madi and her family the best. She was good for us.”
