PREVIEW: No. 1 Kentucky VB Hosts Wofford in NCAA Tournament Opener

by: Penelope Steffek-Lynch1 hour agopenelopesl3

Kentucky volleyball opens the NCAA Tournament Thursday night in Memorial Coliseum, looking to continue its dominant season at home. The 1-seeded Wildcats will take on Wofford at 7 p.m. (SEC Network) — though first serve will be 30 minutes after the end of UCLA vs. Georgia Tech — aiming to make a strong statement in the first round.

“They seem to always be prepared,” said head coach Craig Skinner of his team. “And if they weren’t, they have a way of turning it on. I have no doubt that they will be ready to compete.”

Wofford enters the tournament 17-13 on the season, tallying a 57.1% set win rate and scoring a total of 2,317 points this season. Senior outside hitter Chloe Smith, who earned Most Outstanding Player honors at the SoCon Tournament, leads her team with 361 kills on a .171 hitting percentage, while middle blockers Annemarie Rakoski and Bradley Brown control the frontline with .346 and .336 hitting percentages, respectively, combining for 462 kills and 253 blocks. Setter Maddy Frazier has posted 592 assists to direct her team offensively, as libero Laney Klika anchors the back court with 530 digs on the season.

The Cats head into the matchup as the SEC’s unbeaten powerhouse, holding an impressive 25-2 record while outscoring opponents 2,329 to 1,933 on the season. Outside hitters/All-SEC First Teamers Brooklyn DeLeye and Eva Hudson lead the offense with over 890 combined kills and more than 1,000 points, while middle blockers Lizzie Carr, Kennedy Washington, and Brooke Bultema anchor the front row with an outstanding 217 total blocks. Setter Kassie O’Brien, the SEC Freshman of the Year, orchestrates the offense efficiently with 1,019 assists, as the defensive machines Molly Tuozzo and Molly Berezowitz have combined for almost 600 digs, helping their team dominate on both ends of the court.

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While Wofford has flashed glimpses of depth and efficiency throughout the season, including strong performances from Emily Normand, Taylor Pecht, and Natalie Arnold, Kentucky’s firepower and all-around talent make them a strong favorite in the matchup.

“They will not be wowed by the bright lights and Kentucky,” said Skinner on Wofford. “We will definitely need to be prepared.”

Thursday night’s first-round matchup will deliver high-level volleyball as the Wildcats set their sights on a deep tournament run, while Wofford aims to challenge the No. 1 seed in front of a raucous home crowd.