Tharp Ready to Build on Momentum from Freshman Season

When joining an athletic program, learning the culture is generally very important. Knowing the ins and outs of what’s normal within the team structure can go a long way for a new player.

As a freshman on the Kentucky volleyball team last season, Lauren Tharp quickly learned the culture of the defensive specialists/liberos in the UK program. And she made sure to make herself a part of that culture very quickly.

“I noticed that the passers on the team always came in early and stayed late,” Tharp said of last year’s UK squad. “Especially Gabby (Curry) and McKenzie (Watson). They set the tone for that.”

Tharp also noted that the more work she put in, the more her game improved and the more time she saw on the floor.

“I think I just started making more plays in practice,” Tharp said. “I just proved that I could make the plays in practice. Coming in and doing extra reps. Going in early and staying after practice, just adding more reps.”

Tharp registered 164 digs on the season, with 104 of those coming in the last 14 matches of the season. She had four double-digit dig matches on the season, with two of those coming in the NCAA Tournament (11 against Murray State and 10 against Nebraska).

Kentucky head coach Craig Skinner knew that Tharp had the pedigree to be an outstanding player at this level.

“Lauren was a really good player for us (last year), another freshman who stepped in,” Skinner said. “She came from a high school and club program that’s trying to be the best, like we are, so she wasn’t afraid of that. She put herself in position to have success as a freshman.”

Skinner and his staff gave Tharp a few items to work on during the summer, and the Louisville native has responded.

“She put in a lot of time this summer in the gym to get better,” Skinner said. “Her serve was something we wanted her to improve on and she’s really bought into that. Already in preseason, her serve is better than it was last year. She wants to know what she needs to get better at and she’s willing to put in the time to get there.”

Tharp is not resting on her laurels.

“I’m going to try to get in the gym more,” Tharp said. “Just keep getting in early and staying late and working on parts of my game that I’m not so comfortable with.”

Skinner has high hopes for Tharp’s future as a defensive specialist/libero with the UK program.

“That position group, in general, has always been really important for Kentucky volleyball,” Skinner said. “Lauren comes from a long line of liberos from the city of Louisville that have made an impact on our program. I have no doubt that we’ve yet to see the best from Lauren Tharp.”