Volleyball Cats Ready to Reap the Benefits of Playing at Home

Over the past three seasons, the number of programs to host the NCAA Volleyball Tournament’s first and second rounds, in all three seasons, is seven. That’s right, only seven programs have earned the right to play the first two rounds of the tournament at home in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Included on that list are perennial powerhouses Nebraska, Penn State, Stanford and Texas. Also included are Minnesota and BYU.

The seventh school might be a surprise to some. But for those who have paid close attention to the sport, knowing that three-time defending SEC champion Kentucky is on that list would not be surprising.

Kentucky will host Michigan, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Missouri in the tournament’s initial rounds, which will begin on Friday at Memorial Coliseum. Michigan will meet Northern Kentucky in the first match, followed by Kentucky and Southeast Missouri in the nightcap. The two winners will meet on Saturday for a chance to move on to the Sweet 16 in Waco, Texas.

For the Cats, it’s another sign of respect to be hosting again this season.

“You’re just always honored to get the chance to host the NCAA Tournament,” said UK head coach Craig Skinner. “It’s really hard to go through a season and do what you do and give yourself the best chance to do it. Honored to have a chance to get after it with this team and have a chance to do it on our home floor.”

For senior Leah Edmond, this weekend will be her last playing in Memorial Coliseum. The 2019 (and 2018) SEC Player of the Year plans to soak up every moment of it.

“It’s a big deal to me, especially being from Lexington,” Edmond said. “Memorial has always been a special place to me, ever since I committed here. So, being able to spend one more weekend here with my friends and my family and my teammates is really special for me.”

Junior Gabby Curry, who, on Sunday was named SEC Libero of the Year for a second straight season, knows being at home can be a huge advantage, not only for what happens on the court.

“The best advantage is obviously our home court, but I think also the scheduling,” Curry said. “We’re about to start going into finals week, so now we can prepare this week for the next three weeks.”

As for the team itself, Skinner believes the Cats were made for these situations.

“Everyone on the roster has played in the tournament, except the freshmen,” Skinner said. “We recruited our players to be in these situations. We expect to be here. We know this is what we want to do.”

And what they want to do begins with a match against Southeast Missouri, at home, on Friday.