Closing remarks: Final words on Kentucky VB's season
Almost a week after Kentucky volleyball’s 3-0 defeat to San Diego in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, it’s time for some closure — a recap of the season and a look ahead to next years big storylines, even though the tournament exit is still fresh.
If we’re talking about the 2022 campaign, the SEC Championship must be mentioned. Kentucky won its sixth consecutive SEC title as they were crowned co-champions with Florida. The Wildcats split a decisive weekend series in Gainesville after being swept by Florida on the first day of the weekend. If Kentucky doesn’t bounce back to sweep Florida on Sunday afternoon, they don’t split the series and, more importantly, they don’t win the conference.
Kentucky finished the season with a 22-8 (15-3) record. Coming into the NCAA Tournament they were ranked No. 12 overall and given a 3-seed in the Palo Alto regional. The ‘Cats dismantled Loyola Chicago and then Western Kentucky at Memorial Coliseum, both in sweeps. Kentucky hadn’t dropped a set before its matchup vs. San Diego last Thursday.
But USD was ready for the Wildcats. The Toreros’ athleticism and undying effort proved difficult for UK. Look at it this way: two days after beating Kentucky, San Diego took Stanford five sets and beat them on their own home floor. San Diego will be playing for a spot in the national championship on Thursday night vs. Texas. Kentucky didn’t just lose to some “good team”.
Enough Torero talk.
Fantastic Four
You can call them fabulous, fantastic, or phenomenal but that doesn’t do Kentucky’s best four justice. Emma Grome, Azhani Tealer, Reagan Rutherford, and Adanna Rollins were superstars for the ‘Cats this year. They picked up SEC awards weekly and ultimately they’d be given one more to round up the year.
The “fantastic four” from this year made it as AVCA All-Americans. A magnificent way to end the year for these Wildcats.
Grome and Tealer were Second-Team All-Americans, while Rutherford and Rollins were Third-Teamers. What a year for Grome. The sophomore led all Power 5 setters in assists per set. Grome’s game evolved into a passing, blocking, and killing display — not knowing which one you’re going to get next, even though it was mostly passing. The 2022 campaign for Grome saw her win SEC Player of the Year at the end of the regular season. Time to rename the song to “Grome St. Party.”
While this foursome of Kentucky’s finest ultimately ended their year with awards, it was a trend that you had to see coming. The same four were named to the All-SEC team and the AVCA All-Region team after the first two rounds of the tournament.
What does the future hold for the “fantastic four” and how will it impact Kentucky next season?
What happens next?
Let’s start with the Wildcats that we won’t see in Blue and White next season. Seniors Adanna Rollins, Maddie Berezowitz, and Kelly Franxman likely won’t be returning for head coach Craig Skinner. Rollins’ contribution will be missed especially after this season. However, Kentucky should have options to replace her.
One more Wildcat won’t be returning, per her announcement earlier today.
With Bella Bell leaving, that means as of now only four players from this current squad won’t be here when next season rolls around. That is something to marvel at as of now. Kentucky will have tremendous options moving forward, it’s scary. Three All-Americans and All-SEC members will be leading the line for the ‘Cats next season — not too shabby. Tealer will be back for a fifth season and Grome will look to somehow top off an SEC Player of the Year campaign.
I could go on and on, naming all the players who are returning and how they’ll contribute next year. However, let’s focus on this year’s freshman. Audrey Whitworth and Haley Melby both saw considerable minutes down the stretch. Whitworth playing more come tournament time. Look to them next year for a massive jump between seasons. If they need some inspiration, look to Grome who was deemed the best player in the conference as a sophomore.
To the offseason we go, but volleyball will come sooner than people know. Time off is fun when expectations are high for the next season. But until then…
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