Freshman Kassie O'Brien has now earned three SEC weekly honors (Vicky Graff Photo).
By LARRY VAUGHT
Another week, another award for Kentucky freshman setter Kassie O’Brien.
A week ago, she was named Southeastern Conference Setter of the Week after she had 40 assists in her SEC debut against South Carolina and came back with 34 assists in a three-set win over Georgia. She also had 13 digs and four blocks to go with the 74 assists.
Before that, she was named SEC Setter of the Week after having 27 assists in a win at then No. 5 Penn State and 31 assists in a sweep over New Hampshire.
Now she has been honored as the SEC Freshman of the Week for her performance in last week’s victory at Ole Miss. Kentucky hit .393 behind O’Brien’s 34 assists — her fifth straight match with 30 or more assists — in the three-set sweep. O’Brien also had three blocks, two digs, and a service ace.
Kentucky now has a 10-2 overall record and has won seven straight matches since a loss at Pittsburgh Sept. 10. Coach Craig Skinner’s team is ranked No. 3 in the American Volleyball Coaches’ Association top-25 poll this week.
Kentucky has already played top 10 teams Nebraska, Penn State, Pittsburgh, SMU, and Louisville, but now will have another top 10 showdown when it plays at No. 9 Texas A&Mon Wednesday night at 7. The match will be on the SEC Network and the ESPN app with Alex Loeb and Shelby Coppedge on the call.
