Return of Dusek Makes Kentucky Volleyball Even Better

The Kentucky volleyball team started the 2017 at less than full strength. And despite the fact that the Wildcats jumped out to a 5-2 start, with a lofty national ranking, there was a key piece still missing.

Absent for Kentucky’s first seven matches of the season was the two-time defending SEC Libero of the Year Ashley Dusek. The senior suffered a knee injury during spring practice that kept her off the court until last weekend’s play in Milwaukee.

In her first match back, a 3-0 win over Loyola on Saturday, Dusek notched eight digs, an assist and a service ace in an easy UK victory. In Sunday’s 3-1 win over Marquette, Dusek scooped 17 digs and had four assists.

On Friday night, Dusek played at home for the first time this season, and she was outstanding in her Memorial Coliseum return. The 5-7 senior libero from East Bernard, Texas, had 16 digs, an assist and an ace as Kentucky swept archrival Louisville 25-20, 26-24, 25-11.

For Dusek, she was just happy to be back on the court in Memorial.

“It felt awesome, especially playing against Louisville (in front of) a big crowd,” Dusek said after Friday’s win. “I had exciting nerves, but it was great. My teammates have had my back, so I’ve had that support and that made me feel really good coming in today.”

Dusek started slowly in Friday’s match, but made her impact felt in the second and third sets. After notching one dig in the first set, Dusek had eight in the second set and seven more in the third to help Kentucky seal the victory.

Kentucky head coach Craig Skinner knows what a difference Dusek can make, not only on the stat sheet, but with her leadership.

“She’s one of the best liberos in the country, so when you have a player like that on the floor, it makes a difference,” Skinner said. “She’s very organized and a great communicator, on top of physically being a great player. So, it makes a big impact. The energy, the confidence, the leadership from a player like Ashley is certainly evident when you see her out there.”

That leadership is something Dusek knows she can bring to the team.

“I hope to help give (my teammates) confidence,” Dusek said. “I hear that from other people, how they like my leadership on the court, so I guess that could be my role. I just want everyone to feel comfortable on the court around each other.”

Dusek’s teammates know how important she is to the team.

“It is a huge difference, she is just so solid,” said senior Kaz Brown. “She’s a great teammate and a great person and we’re really lucky to have her back being herself. She brings another element to the game that we really need.”

With the win, No. 12 Kentucky moved to 8-2 on the season and allowed the 2017 senior class to remain unbeaten against the Cardinals, something that was not lost on Dusek.

“It felt awesome, especially my senior year,” Dusek said. “It was great, especially in three (sets) in the last match. It was a great experience and a great crowd.”

With Dusek back in the fold, there figure to be many more great experiences for the 2017 Cats.