Brown, Dusek Competing for Collegiate National Teams

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Junior classmates Kaz Brown and Ashley Dusek are competing as members of the USA Volleyball Collegiate National Team tours. Brown is in the midst of a tour in China, while Dusek is playing for the red squad in the Collegiate National Team-Indianapolis training program. 

Brown competed in two sets as the US team defeated Jianqsu Zhongtian Steel VBC, 3-2 (19-25, 23-25, 25-13, 25-23, 15-13). Brown begins the third leg of her tour in Beijing following stints in Shanghai and Nanjing earlier last week. 

Dusek’s team topped the blue team in pool play in a five-set thriller, 3-2 (17-25, 25-20, 25-22, 21-25, 15-13). The reigning SEC Libero of the Year takes to the court again on Tuesday, June 28, facing the white team at 5 p.m. with streaming video available here.

Brown finished the regular season third in the nation in blocks per set (1.61) and seventh in total blocks (178). With 160 block assists last season, she ranked second in single-season block assists for Kentucky all-time, while claiming the most blocks ever by a UK player in a single season during the 25-point rally scoring era. She also notched two double-double efforts in the season, the first time a Kentucky middle has notched a double-double since 2007. Brown earned multiple accolades over the season, being named to the All-SEC team, Player of the Week once, twice the SEC Defensive Player of the Week and MVP of the Bluegrass Battle.

In 2015 Dusek led the Southeastern Conference in digs from wire-to-wire, averaging 5.05 per set during her sophomore campaign. Her season was highlighted by a 40-dig performance at Auburn, breaking a 22-year-old UK record for most digs in a single match. Her 40 digs was also the most in a single match for any player in the SEC this year, and the only 40-dig performance from a Power Five institution. Only four other Division I players were able to achieve the feat. Dusek was a model for consistency over the regular season, only registering two matches during the regular season with less than 10 digs. The sophomore only conceded 11 service aces as well. Dusek’s accomplishments include All-SEC team, SEC Player of the Week once and SEC Defensive Player of the Week twice.

 

Head coach Craig Skinner has enjoyed a long line of success with Team USA. Former All-American Morgan Bergren competed with Team USA in China in 2014 prior to her senior season. Whitney Billings, Bergren, Ashley Frazier, Stephanie Klefot, Jackie Napper and Sarah Rumely are several of UK’s former greats who compete with the U.S. Collegiate National team training program during Skinner’s tenure.

For the latest on the Kentucky volleyball team, follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and on the web at UKathletics.com.