Lilley Providing Steadying Force for UK Volleyball

The Kentucky volleyball team was forced to make a transition this season. After losing five seniors from last year’s squad, including four key contributors, head coach Craig Skinner and his team have had to use a number of new players in 2018.

In addition to players who were not on the team last season, the Wildcats have also seen some players change positions, while others are seeing their first significant playing time of their careers.

Throughout all of the change, there’s been one very important constant – setter Madison Lilley. After leading the Cats to an Elite Eight appearance last season as a freshman, Lilley has been the steadying force for this season’s Wildcats, who have now won three straight matches after Sunday’s three-set victory over Chattanooga.

Skinner knows how important Lilley has been, and will continue to be, for this team, especially adjusting to specific situations.

“She does a nice job,” Skinner said. “Today, first set of the match we had two blockers on Brooke (Morgan) and she recognized that and went the other direction the next time.”

The sophomore from Overland Park, Kansas, showed off her all-around game once again on Sunday, recording her third double-double of the season with 28 assists and 10 digs. For good measure, Lilley had four kills on five swings (.800 hitting percentage) and a pair of service aces.

Lilley knows part of her role is to incorporate new players into the team attack, while also being a settling presence for her teammates.

“I really just like to stay calm and collected, that’s kind of how I like to stay on the court,” Lilley said. “I think that’s something that every team should have, someone who can be like the eye of the storm, no matter who is in or what the score is.”

One of the newcomers who has stepped up lately is junior college transfer Caitlyn Cooper. After playing sparingly in the team’s first seven matches of the season, Cooper has seen her opportunity, and her production, increase in the last three matches, in which she has a combined 26 kills in just 10 sets.

“I took the opportunity and rolled with it,” Cooper said. “The coaches have been really working with me and making sure I’m comfortable with what I’m doing. It’s a good opportunity and something I’m comfortable with now.”

Cooper enjoys playing with such a talented setter like Lilley.

“She makes me look great,” Cooper said. “She’s a really great person, a really good setter. She makes it easier for her hitters. There’s no one I have ever seen that does what she does.”

Lilley loves the attitude and presence that Cooper brings to the floor.

“She’s really fiery and that’s the kind of attitude we need on the court,” Lilley said. “Having hitters with that kind of energy is so much fun.”

For the Kentucky hitters, having Lilley as the setter and leader on the court makes the game more fun as well.