With a big weekend for both UK Hoops and volleyball coming up, John Clay from the Lexington Herald-Leader spent time in his column today examining the recent success of UK’s women’s programs.Volleyball will playing in Sweet 16 beginning Friday, while Matthew Mitchell’s basketball team is ranked in the top 10 nationally and facing No. 6/5 Duke in Rupp Arena Thursday evening. The two teams follow the strong seasons of Jon Lipsitz’s soccer team (first NCAA Tournament in five years) and Rachel Lawson’s softball Cats (advanced to NCAA Super Regionals this spring).In particular, Clay discusses the relationship between Mitchell and volleyball head coach Craig Skinner’s, whose offices are both located in the Joe Craft Center:

Both coaches have rebuilt programs that had fallen on hard times.After two straight trips to the NCAA Tournament, including an Elite Eight berth in 2010, Mitchell now boasts a top-10 team. Skinner is making his seventh straight NCAA tourney appearance since arriving on campus in 2005.“Craig and I are good friends and we’re in closer proximity with our offices so we have a little bit closer relationship,” Mitchell said. “He and I are spending a lot of time together and talk about the different things that go on, so there is a real sense of community here at Kentucky.“And I credit Mr. (Mitch) Barnhart for that. He cares just as much about what’s happening with the soccer team as he does with the softball team,” Mitchell said. “It’s a lot of fun to be a part of, I can tell you that.”

LINK: Thursday, Friday more of the same for powerful UK women’s teams