Freshman Prepared to Contribute for UK Volleyball

Kentucky volleyball head coach Craig Skinner and his staff have assembled another extremely talented recruiting class, one that will be taking the floor for the Cats this season. The class of 2021 will be ready to make an impact on the program from day one.

The class starts with Eleanor Beavin, a 5-5 libero from Louisville, Ky.  Beavin was a three-time first-team all-state selection at Mercy Academy and will be ready to assume whatever role the team needs from her.

“I keep the team really calm around me,” Beavin said of her game. “Pretty strong in serve receive and defense. I have a steady game all around.”

She actually grew up as a fan of a rival program but has since come around.

“I actually grew up as a Louisville fan,” Beavin said. “I never really expected to go to Kentucky but as soon as they started recruiting me, I couldn’t imagine going anywhere else.”

What was it about Kentucky that made her want to play for the Cats?

“Everyone here made me feel so comfortable,” Beavin said. “It can be stressful transitioning from high school to college, so having those people around you who really care is such a game-changer. And he volleyball is incredible, obviously.”

Emma Grome is a 5-9 setter from Loveland, Ohio. Grome was ranked as the No. 25 player in the country by Prep Volleyball in the 2021 class.

Grome will be looking to step into the very large hole left by last year’s National Player of the Year, Madison Lilley. While she would love to emulate Lilley, Grome knows she just needs to be herself.

“I just need to come in and do what I can do myself,” Grome said. “There’s a lot I can learn from her. She had a very physical presence on the court as a leader and as a player. There’s a lot I can take away from that.”

Grome cites a couple of reasons why she chose UK.

“One of the biggest reasons was the people and the culture,” Grome said. “Everyone really cares about each other.”

Another thing about the program appealed to Grome.

“I’m a very competitive person and I knew I wanted to go to a competitive program,” she said. “And obviously, seeing them winning (the national championship), it just ups the level a little bit more.”

Erin Lamb is a 6-3 outside hitter from Stewartville, Minnesota. Lamb was ranked as the No. 32 player in the class of 2021.

Lamb liked what she saw from the UK program during the recruiting process.

“The people here are one of a kind,” Lamb said. “The program, the culture here is unmatched. That’s what put UK over the edge for me.”

As for what fans can expect from her on the court, Lamb thinks the Big Blue Nation will like how she plays under pressure.

“The strongest part of my game is wanting to be in those big-time moments,” Lamb said. “Having the ability to take that pressure on and play at the level I can in those big moments is what I can do.”

Jordyn Williams, a 6-2 middle blocker, Lantana, Texas, was ranked as the No. 8 player nationally in the class of 2021. Like her classmates, Williams was impressed with the UK coaching staff during the recruiting process.

“The number one thing was the people. The coaches and the people were so genuine,” Williams said. “Being around those kinds of people every day makes you want to get up and work hard and push yourself in practice.”

Knowing that UK had a couple of players from her home state of Texas (Madi Skinner and Azhani Tealer) didn’t hurt, either.

“I think, for sure, had a part in it,” Williams said. “Knowing that these girls came to school here from so far away because they knew this was the best place for them.”

Williams has a lot of natural talent but knows she needs to improve her game.

“I still need to work on a lot of things,” Williams said. “I need to work on blocking. The pace of the game gets quicker at this level.”

This group of freshmen adds depth to an already talented Kentucky roster. Their talents will be called upon this season to contribute as the Cats defend their national title.