Lilley Ready to Lead UK Volleyball to Even Bigger Goals
The Kentucky volleyball team made the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight last season before falling to eventual national champion Nebraska. The Cornhuskers were led by senior All-American setter Kelly Hunter, who simply refused to let her team lose, not only in the Elite Eight, but all the way through the championship.
Hunter’s determination and will to win were not lost on Kentucky setter Madison Lilley. Just a freshman last season, Lilley took note of how Hunter took charge of her team.
“Kelly Hunter is someone who is known for her drive and for being such a great leader,” Lilley said. “Being a senior setter, you have that impact on your team. Kelly is a really good setter and such an amazing leader. While we were playing against her, it was cool to see how motivated she was.”
Lilley seeks to bring that same intensity to her Kentucky team every day.
“That’s something I strive to bring to our team, being that driven and motivated to get the win no matter what and compete no matter what,” Lilley said. “That’s something I strive to bring to the gym each day.”
Kentucky head coach Craig Skinner has seen that “refuse to lose” attitude in Lilley for a long time.
“She’s been that way ever since she started playing the game,” Skinner said. “She’s an elite competitor and someone that, when she walks in the gym, it’s game-on. She’s going to will herself and her team to do good things.”
Lilley’s teammates enjoy playing with her, although they also know she’s not afraid to call them out.
“She’s fun, she definitely pushes you and she’ll definitely tell you that you need to pick it up,” said junior outside hitter Leah Edmond. “I really like being so secure with my setter that I know she’s got my back and I’ve got hers.”
In 2017, Lilley had one of the best seasons ever by a Kentucky setter, recording 1,445 assists along the way. During college volleyball’s rally scoring era, that’s the second-highest assist total by any UK player. Only Sarah Rumely’s 1,484 assists in 2009 was higher. In fact, Lilley’s total from last season earns her fourth place on UK’s all-time career assists chart during the rally scoring era.
Lilley realized she was having a big season, but was still surprised when she was named second-team All-American.
“I didn’t really know much about my All-American selection,” Lilley said. “I was so blindsided by it. It was such a cool and shocking accomplishment.”
However, now that she’s earned that honor, Lilley is finding that she’s motivated to do it again.
“Now that I know what it feels like to go to the banquet and all of that, it makes me want that even more,” Lilley said. “While that wasn’t a goal that I had, it’s something that’s definitely on the top of my goal list.”
Lilley, who played for the U.S. Collegiate National Team that travelled to China over the summer, thinks the 2018 Wildcats have a shot to compete for titles again this season, a goal that she has in mind.
“Individually, I just want to get this team to a championship,” Lilley said. “We’re excited about (the season). We know it’s going to take hard work. What we do now is going to show in December, so we’re working really hard. Our minds are getting better every day.”
Lilley saw first-hand the kind of leadership that it takes to win a national title, and she’s confident that she is the leader to take Kentucky to those lofty heights.
