May 26, 2011

LEXINGTON, Ky. – UK volleyball coach Craig Skinner has secured another top-30 recruiting class according to PrepVolleyball.com Kentucky’s three-member class of 2011 is rated as the No. 28 best class according to the website. In the past six seasons, Skinner has turned in a top-30 recruiting class on five occasions.

“This class really covers our needs as a program for the future,” Skinner said. “With the needed addition of a libero, outside hitter and a middle blocker we continue to add power, height, ball control and great volleyball players in their respective positions. I am very excited about this class and their talents to upgrade this program for the next several years.”

Kentucky’s incoming class includes libero, Jackie Napper, outside hitter Lauren O’Conner and middle blocker Kayla Tronick. A Louisville native, Napper attended Assumption High School and was named to the ESPN rise High School All-America second team. At Assumption she captured a state title in 2010 and was named to the All-Tournament team. She also was a vital member of the KIVA 17-under club that captured the AAU National Championship in 2010.

O’Conner enrolled at Kentucky in January after graduating from Scott High School early. An outstanding, 6-foot-5 outside hitter from Taylor Mill, Ky, she collected numerous records at Scott High School including the first player in school history to collect 1,000 career kills. She received first-team All-State selection in 2009 and was named Kentucky Athletic Conference Player of the Year her junior year. She also competes with the Northern Kentucky Volleyball Club team.

Tronick, a middle blocker from Hutchinson, Minn. led Hutchinson High School to a AA state runner-up finish in 2010. As a junior she was named to the Minneapolis Star Tribune second-team All-Metro. She is also a member with the Hutchinson Volleyball Club.

Follow along all season with the UK volleyball team at UKathletics.com.