Kentucky reunion: Madison Lilley's return to Lexington
2020 NCAA Volleyball National Champion, Madison Lilley, picked up a coaching gig! Lilley will join Kentucky Volleyball as a full-time assistant on Craig Skinner’s staff. The ex-Wildcat, but forever-superstar will get the chance to give back to the program where she shined so bright. The duo that is Lilley and Skinner now link up again, but in a different fashion.
“I’m excited for it. I know I loved Craig when I committed to play here when I was 14. That held true all throughout high school and it held through all throughout college. On occasion when he (Craig) would watch me play professionally, when he would text me I just realized how much I missed having him in my corner… Craig’s the best and I always tell him that I feel so grateful that he’s the captain leading our ship because he handles things so well and with so much poise and I really admire that,” said Lilley when talking about the opportunity to work with Skinner now.
Perhaps a break
Before joining Kentucky’s coaching staff, Lilley was playing professional volleyball in France for Beziers Angels. A natural winner, Lilley won the French league gold medal while she was abroad. Now as a coach, Lilley will get a break from actually playing but still gets to be around volleyball. The opportunity of coaching gives her a chance to re-asses and see what her next career options are.
“Taking this break away from playing, away from being in Europe or playing professionally, I think will give me a good sense of direction on if I miss it. If I don’t, that’s okay, If I do, that’s okay and maybe then I’ll evaluate on how I want to handle things. This is a really good way not to cut volleyball cold turkey, because obviously I’ll still be around it everyday. I think it’ll help give me a good idea for what I envision,” said Lilley about the possibilities of what this decision means for her professional career.
Regardless of what Lilley’s future is, she’s returning to Kentucky as a legend. She was obviously one of the catalysts behind Kentucky’s first-ever national championship in 2020. That year, Lilley took home an SEC Player of the Year award and averaged 12.37 assists per set throughout the campaign. Lilley won four-straight SEC championships as a Wildcat as well. If you’re looking for a hire that has experience with Uber-talented teams, is a proven winner, and knows the program like the back of their hand, then, Madison Lilley is a home-run hire for Kentucky.
A Kentucky love
Lilley didn’t know if she would ever get the chance to return to Kentucky. Now that the opportunity presented itself, a love is rekindled between her and the Kentucky Volleyball program.
“I don’t know if I envisioned that (returning to Kentucky), but it felt so perfect. Playing here (UK) and committing four years before I even got here. Loved it for those four years, loved it while I was obviously playing here. Still loved it and was keeping up my two years away from it. So, when the opportunity came it felt perfect,” said Lilley.
Madison Lilley will join the coaching staff on July 1 as a new era dawns in Lexington. In the words of Marshall Mathers III, “Guess who’s back, back again.”
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