Fresh off SEC title, Kentucky volleyball grabs 2-seed in NCAA tournament

LEXINGTON, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — The Kentucky volleyball team has ripped off a 16-match win streak and is coming off a 7th-straight SEC championship. The Wildcats will look to keep that streak going now in win-or-go-home mode.

All smiles for the Kentucky volleyball team having a watch party for the NCAA selection show! #BBN grabbed the 2 seed in the Nebraska Quarter of the bracket and will face Wofford, the Cats get to host the first two rounds at Rupp Arena on Thursday and Friday! pic.twitter.com/hGfWQpBPWk

— Michael Epps November 26, 2023

UK nabbed a 2-seed in the NCAA volleyball tournament, announced during its selection show on Sunday evening on ESPN. The Wildcats will host the first two rounds, with Wofford as the opponent in Round One and would then await the winner of James Madison and Baylor.

“We’ve earned our way into this and certainly didn’t start that way early on the season. And to be able to get some good wins along the way, to get the respect of the committee and get to be able to host on Thursday is awesome and another great chance for our fans who are really starting to come out and watch us to come and see us again one more time,” Kentucky head volleyball coach Craig Skinner said.

Kentucky started the season 2-6, struggling in the nonconference schedule which included a match against one of the top teams in the nation in Nebraska, which the Cornhuskers won 3-1. Kentucky was placed in the Nebraska Quarter of the bracket and could get a rematch in the Elite 8 if they both make it there.

“You know, it’s a tough schedule we got, but you know, we’re just going to take it day by day and just work on ourselves, most importantly, and just worry about each game as it comes. I think we’ll be as prepared as we can be and just play the game that we know and just not really think too much about it and just have fun out there,” Kentucky freshman outside hitter Brooklyn Deleye said.

DeLeye was name SEC freshman of the year and Skinner won SEC co-coach of the year. Eleanor Beavin, DeLeye, Emma Grome, Reagan Rutherford and Azhani Tealer were all named to the all-SEC team. Molly Tuozzo also made the all-SEC freshman team with DeLeye.

Kentucky’s first round match against Wofford will start at 7:30 p.m. at Rupp Arena, with the first match between James Madison and Baylor starting at 4:30 p.m. The winners will face off in the second round on Friday at 7 p.m. at Rupp Arena.