Aug. 9, 2013
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Returning All-America selection Whitney Billings was tabbed to the preseason All-Southeastern Conference team it was announced by the league office Friday morning.
Billings is one of nine players selected to the preseason squad as voted on by the league’s 13 coaches.
The Helena, Ala., native is UK’s top returning offensive threat after logging a team-high 365 kills in her All-America campaign as a junior. For her career she has tallied 987 career kills and is looking to become the 15th player in school history to reach the century mark.
The senior has proven to be one of the most versatile players in the nation. As a junior, she notched 17 double-double efforts which was a career-high mark for the third-year player.
In addition to her offensive prowess, she ranked second on the squad with 335 digs a season ago. For her career she has posted 930 career scoops. She is just 70 digs shy from amassing 1,000 in her career, and is looking to become the first player in school allure to total both 1,000 career kills and digs in the rally scoring era. Her 30 career double-double efforts already rank as a school record since the inception of the 25-point rally scoring.
Furthermore, she is a mere five matches away from becoming UK’s all-time leader in matches with 10 or more kills in the rally scoring era. She currently has 52 matches with 10 or more hammers.
Billings and the Wildcats will open the 2013 campaign in Long Beach, Calif. The Blue and White will take on Florida State, Illinois and the host 49ers to begin the year. UK and the Seminoles will meet on Friday, Aug. 30 at 8 p.m. ET to officially kick off the season.
Kentucky’s Memorial Coliseum will play host to the NCAA Regionals Dec. 13-14. UK is one of four sites selected for the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight matchups with one team advancing to the Final Four in Seattle, Wash., from the Lexington Region. This marks the second time in three seasons Memorial Coliseum will host this premier volleyball event.
Visit UKathletics.com for the most up-to-date information on the Kentucky volleyball team and all 22 varsity sports.
