Audrey Whitworth and UK play at SEC co-leader Florida today and Sunday. (Vicky Graff Photo)
One of the biggest surprises for the Kentucky volleyball team this season has been freshman Audrey Whitworth. She’s become an integral part of coach Craig Skinner’s team that is 16-6 overall and 11-2 in Southeastern Conference play and has matches at Florida today and Sunday that should determine the conference champion.
Whitworth is from Breckinridge County and was the first in-state recruit outside of Lexington, Louisville or northern Kentucky head coach Craig Skinner had signed at UK. She has played in 64 sets with 113 digs.
Sophomore libero Eleanor Beavin of Louisville Mercy played against Whitworth in high school her sophomore year when Mercy beat Breckinridge in the state tournament.
“I didn’t know who she was and I didn’t even remember we played her until she said we played after she got here,” Beavin said. “I don’t exactly remember playing against her and who she was but we did play once. I was a year ahead of her in club and stuff, too.”
However, Beavin understands not only what it means to Whitworth to be at UK but also to be such a significant contributor as postseason play approaches.
“I think it is so cool for her and I am extremely proud of the way she has come in this year. She is a quieter player and that comes from being at Breckinridge where there is not a ton of volleyball talent in that area,” Beavin said. “Coming here probably was overwhelming but to represent that county and home… she loves home.
“She is very proud to be from Breckinridge County. I think that is a huge deal for her and good for the state of Kentucky. It shows it is not just northern Kentucky, Louisville and Lexington that have volleyball talent. It’s across the state and getting better and better. It’s cool for her and she is very proud to be from there.”
Breckinridge County is not that far from Louisville even though Beavin doesn’t think she’s ever been in Breckinridge County.
“But not being too far from Louisville she could come and train with a lot of good coaches in Louisville,” Beavin said. “It’s cool that she stayed with her roots from home and kept playing for Breckinridge but we are really glad to have her here now.”
2 Responses
As someone who grew up in small-town Kentucky then went to UK, I am so proud of Whitworth and find her devotion to her state and sport refreshing.
Not surprising, though, is the Mercy graduate’s elite tone in her quotes. Condescending and rude better describe the Mercy graduate’s contribution to this article.
Larry Vaught is a seasoned sports writer. I, honestly, expect more from someone who covered me when I played high school sports over 40 years ago.
Keep living your dream, Whitworth, and ignore the chatter from the “big city” entitled.
I don’t think Beavin meant anything but explaining how much being at UK meant to Whitworth and how unusual it is for a player out in the state to be doing this. YOu certainly are entitled to your opinion but I was merely trying to point out what a big plus Whitworth had been this season