Kentucky Volleyball Never Flinched in Clutch Moments of SEC Tournament Title

There were times when the Wildcats looked dead in the water. Even though the Kentucky volleyball team had not lost a match in the SEC all season, they were on the ropes in their final test, the SEC Tournament Title against Texas.

In the second set, the Wildcats let a late lead slip away. Facing elimination, Kentucky trailed 23-19 in the third set. Craig Skinner called a timeout. The ESPN sideline reporter noted that she saw something different from the Wildcats when they exited the huddle. The message Skinner sent to his team was simple.

“We’ve earned the opportunity to be in this moment, and don’t let this slip away,” Skinner recalled on Kentucky Sports Radio. “Our team, they run the enthusiasm, the fire, the intensity. I don’t have to do anything to motivate them to compete. Their internal competitive drive is unmatched, so far.”

That drive was enough to go on a late run. Even after the Horns had the match point, Kentucky fought back to win the set 26-24 and stay alive. They were tested again in the fourth set, yet were unfazed, ultimately acting as the aggressors to pull away with a five-set victory over Texas.

“They never flinched whatsoever at every point of the match, and the sign of great teams is they have no recollection of what just happened. They’re just totally consumed of what’s going to happen on the next whistle. This is the way this team has been all year, and they continued to do it last night.”

Skinner Thanks Kentucky Fans for Rallying Behind Volleyball

Volleyball is an exciting sport, yet it’s not one that has always been on Big Blue Nation’s radar. You couldn’t tell that if you were at KSBar on Wednesday night. Kentucky fans filled the bar to cheer on the Wildcats from afar. Applause rang out after every point, and erupted into a roar following the five-set victory.

Skinner had plenty of options when he rose through the ranks as an assistant at Nebraska. He ultimately chose to take over the Kentucky volleyball program in 2005 because he saw the potential, not just on the court, but in Big Blue Nation.

“The reason I wanted to come to Kentucky was because it’s the flagship institution in a state where there’s no pro sports. And I guarantee, if you build something special, they will get behind it, and be all in,” said the Kentucky head volleyball coach.

“It’s proven true. Thankfully, we’ve made the right choice as a family, and you just can’t build a special program without a fanbase like this, and I can’t thank everybody enough.”

Fans should have multiple opportunities to fill Historic Memorial Coliseum during the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats will discover their postseason draw Sunday night at 6 PM ET, where Kentucky is expected to be able to host all the way to the Final Four. This team has proven it has enough to win a second National Championship in five seasons. Now it’s BBN’s turn to help them reach the pinnacle of the sport.