Leading up to Kentucky’s season-opener on August 29, we asked each member of the team what Kentucky Volleyball meant to them. Next up is senior Jackie Napper:
“It’s a home away from home, my second family. I know my teammates, coaches and staff will always have my back. We all have different personalities, but together we make up a team that has one goal in mind, to win a championship. We like to have fun and get our laughs in, but most importantly we love to compete and WIN!”
A senior, Napper started at libero in all 31 matches for the Wildcats in 2013. The Louisville, Ky., native earned All-SEC Academic team honors and led the team with 443 digs for a 3.99 digs per set rate to go along with 111 assists, the second highest total on the team during her junior season. Napper tallied a career-best 24 digs in UK’s upset win over No. 4 Minnesota and had a career-high nine assists vs. VCU, both last season.
Preseason Team Update: August 14, 2014
From a morning yoga session to picture day and an appearance on the SEC Network’s inaugural show, Thursday was a busy day for the Wildcats.
Picture day is another sign that the season is just around the corner. UK’s staff photographer, Brittney Howard took a team photo in addition to headshots and select other group photos. Kentucky Wildcats TV was there to document all the action:
Also Thursday, with the SEC Network’s launch just hours away, it was announced that 27 of UK’s 31 matches will appear on the SEC Network +, the digital platform of the SEC Network. All of Kentucky’s home matches and every home and road SEC match will air nationwide on SECNetwork.com and WatchESPN, which is available to all SEC Network subscribers. More information and a full schedule, which includes eight matches already announced to be broadcast on the SEC Network and ESPNU, can be found here.
Finally, after practice and a team dinner, the Wildcats participated in the launch of the SEC Network. In the three-hour kickoff show, the team was involved in a live look-in as they watched the show from the team room.
For an archive of previous “What Kentucky Volleyball Means to Me” entries and practice reports, follow along with the full Countdown to 2014 UK Volleyball, leading up to the August 29 season-opener. Additional updates throughout preseason practice can be found on Twitter at @KentuckyVB and on Instagram at @KentuckyVolleyball.
