Vicky Graff Photo
It’s not hard for Kentucky coach Craig Skinner to explain what makes sophomore outside hitter Brooklyn DeLeye such a special player.
“Usually you get out of something what you put into it. She puts a lot of work and effort into things. She has gifts athletically but the effort she puts in is the most important thing,” said Skinner. “There is nothing she doesn’t want to improve on.”
Of course, she’s already special. The American Volleyball Coaches Association has named her the 2024 AVCA South Region Player of the Year in a vote by coaches in the South Region.
Recently she was also named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year after being SEC Player of the Year in 2023.
The Kansas native had 487 kills — 4.77 per set — and is hitting .288 going into Thursday afternoon’s NCAA Tournament regional semifinal match against Missouri in Pittsburgh. DeLeye had 22 kills in a win over No. 15 Minnesota and is averaging 5.29 kills and 2.29 digs per set in NCAA play. She also has six aces in two postseason matches.
“Brooklyn’s awesome. I mean, she’s the hardest worker at her craft, and it’s no surprise that people have to pay so much attention to her because she just puts so much time, energy, and effort into the game,” senior teammate Erin Lamb said.
DeLeye credits her connection with All-American setter as a big reason for her success.
“I think last year it was kind of a short thing that we just got right into it. And in the spring, we worked really hard on getting that connection down, because we had a lot of time to work on that,” DeLeye said about Grome.
“I think she’s done a really good job of working with me and what I need and what I need from her, and what she wants from me. I think just talking and communicating throughout the play, and if something didn’t go as planned, I know she’s going to give me the next ball.”
Skinner was named the 2024 AVCA South Region Coach of the Year after leading UK to an eighth straight SEC championship. He won his 300th SEC match Nov. 27th against Missouri, the team UK plays Thursday. He has taken UK to the NCAA Tournament all 20 years he’s been leading the Wildcats. Kentucky is playing in its 10th regional semifinal under Skinner.
Grome and sophomore libero Molly Tuozzo were named to the AVCA All-South Region Team. It was Grome’s fourth honor and first for Tuozzo.
Grome is averaging 11.22 assists per set this season and passed Madison Lilley as the all-time assists leader in Kentucky volleyball history with her 51st assist in the win over Minnesota.
Tuozzo is averaging 3.92 digs per set and was also named to the All-Southeastern Conference Team.
Both Grome and Tuozzo also earned all-SEC honors.
