Kentucky volleyball players enjoyed watching UK softball last spring but now it is time for them to start their season. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Because of needed renovations at Memorial Coliseum the Kentucky volleyball team will play all its home matches at Rupp Arena this season.
The Cats normally have a home-court edge in Memorial but will UK have the same edge in the more spacious Rupp Arena?
“We got an opportunity to play there in 2012,” said UK coach Craig Skinner. “It was better than I thought from a depth perspective. But when we practice there and play our exhibition there I will get a better feel for what it will be like.
“Season ticket sales have gone up, so I think it will be a home-court advantage but in a different way.”
Kentucky will host Western Kentucky in an exhibition match Thursday night in Rupp where Skinner says his team will unveil a new, faster style of play.
“We probably have more depth at every position than we have ever had,” he said.
He wants to give players, including five freshmen and one transfer, an opportunity to play and see who emerges as the best players.
“What does it look like when someone we are playing is playing a different style than what we see in practice,” the UK coach said.
Skinner has one of his best recruiting classes with setter Ava Sarafa, outside hitter Jordyn Dailey, middle blocker Brooke Bultema, libero Molly Tuozzo and outside hitter Brooklyn DeLeye.
“They are going to make my job very difficult in a good way. They are going to give themselves a chance to play with their physicality and speed,” Skinner said. “They just do things naturally other people can’t. They also bring enormous character to our program.”
Skinner is starting his 19th year at Kentucky and has a new associate coach, new assistant coach and six new players.
“I love this program and love the game but there are a lot of changes,” he said. “We got three returning All-Americans (Emma Grome, Reagan Rutherford and Azhani Tealer) along with five freshmen and a transfer from Oklahoma.”
Skinner is glad he doesn’t have to deal with conference realignments like other schools are.
“I am certainly glad I am coaching in the SEC,” he said.
