Freshman Play Like Veterans in NCAA Opener
The Kentucky volleyball team opened postseason play on Friday night by beating East Tennessee State 3-0 in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Volleyball Tournament at Memorial Coliseum. And while the team’s upperclassmen were solid, it was a pair of freshmen who thrived in their initial postseason match.
SEC setter of the year Madison Lilley continued her spectacular play from the regular season as the postseason got underway. Lilley had 14 assists in the first set, 12 in the second and 13 in the third for a three-set total of 39. Lilley entered the weekend at number four in the country in assists per set at 12.12.
On this night, however, Lilley did much more than distribute the ball to Kentucky’s hitters. She was also involved with the blocking effort, tying her career high with four block assists. For good measure, she added two kills and two digs.
Lilley was happy to be playing at home.
“(The NCAA Tournament) is just a little bit more official, so it’s a little different than regular home matches,” Lilley said. “It definitely takes the nerves off when you’re at home and you’re sleeping in your own bed. It’s a lot of fun and it’s a lot of fun playing in front of all of the fans who are showing up.”
Lilley’s classmate Avery Skinner also had a big night in her first postseason match. Skinner had a match-high 14 kills while hitting .407 on 27 swings. Skinner thought that playing at home made a big difference.
“I’d definitely say there are nerves,” Skinner said. “But it really helps being at home and playing in front of all of our fans.”
Skinner was quick to credit her teammates for aiding her big effort on Friday.
“I’ve really got to credit Madison and Kaz (Brown),” Skinner said. “Madison did a great job just seeing the court and setting me the ball. Kaz did a great job pulling the block so, a lot of times, I had one-on-one opportunities.”
For his part, Kentucky head coach Craig Skinner does not think about Lilley and Skinner as freshmen because of the experience they have gotten this season.
“They’re pretty experienced freshman,” Skinner said. “I think that’s the choices that teams have to make. Who are they going to focus their defense on on our team, and we’re going to find out who that’s going to be and then we’re going to try to exploit other opportunities with our offense. Avery had a lot of great opportunities tonight.”
The Wildcats won’t have long to enjoy Friday’s victory, as they face Western Kentucky on Saturday night at 7 p.m. Proving that they are still truly freshmen, Lilley laid out her plans for the next few hours.
“Sleep and eat and drink some water, that is my agenda,” Lilley said. “Basically, just reset and do it all over again tomorrow.”
