Kentucky volleyball coach Craig Skinner has completed his first coaching staff by naming former Nebraska defensive player Jenae Dowling assistant coach Thursday.

?This is the opportunity of a lifetime for me and one I couldn?t pass up,? Dowling said. ?I?m so excited to be a part of the Kentucky program. Coach Skinner is one of the best coaches in the country and I?m so eager to be a part of this great coaching staff.?

Dowling, a native of Fort Wayne, Ind., was a four-year letterwinner at Nebraska, helping the Huskers to three Big 12 titles and the 2000 NCAA Championship. The 5-6 libero walked on at Nebraska in 2000 and appeared in 93 matches during her career. She was named a co-captain during her senior season of 2003 and split time at the libero position.

Dowling shined in the classroom, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors three times and was a six-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner?s Honor Roll. She majored in finance and graduated with a bachelor?s degree in business in May 2004.

?Jenae is exactly what we are looking for in people that we want to be part of our program here at Kentucky,? Skinner said. ?She is enthusiastic, hard working and passionate about the sport of volleyball. She has played at the highest level and won a national championship, which will help us continue building for championships of our own.?

Dowling, 23, is the daughter of Jim and Sue Dowling of Fort Wayne, Ind.