Kentucky will host three of last season's Final Four teams next season. (Photo by Vicky Graff)
Craig Skinner never backs off challenging his team to get ready to defend its Southeastern Conference championship and he certainly has not with his upcoming schedule.
Kentucky, the 2020 national volleyball champion, will host three of last year’s Final Four teams in a nine-day stretch in September.
The Wildcats will host defending national champion Wisconsin either Sept. 9 or Sept. 10. Last season then No. 2 Wisconsin beat visiting Kentucky — ranked No. 8 at the time — 25-17, 25-11, 26-28, 26-24.
Skinner’s team will host Louisville Sept. 14 — a team it also played in an exhibition match this spring. Wisconsin beat Louisville in the national semifinals last season and then beat Nebraska in the title match. Nebraska will play at Kentucky Sept. 17.
Kentucky has dominated SEC play in recent years and Leah Edmond, Madison Lilley and Alli Stumler have been the last three SEC Players of the Year.
Does Skinner have another SEC Player of the Year on this roster?
“It’s hard to tell. I think we have some players with that type of ability and skill,” the UK coach said. “We are going to have a lot of talent on our team. We have freshmen who are going to be good and help us. We have transfers coming in who can help.”
“We just have to figure out what type of things we can do best. Every year is so different. But we definitely have some very talented players again.”
