Celebrations Abound on Friday for Volleyball Cats
The Kentucky volleyball program recognized its senior class prior to Friday’s match against Florida. That group of seniors then propelled the Cats to what turned out to be a day of celebrations.
Prior to the match, Kentucky honored its three-player senior class, which consists of Cameron Scheitzach, Alli Stumler and Lauren Tharp. The emotional celebration had some players in tears as they celebrated on the court with their families.
But the Cats had to get past the emotion very quickly, facing a talented Florida squad on the other side of the net. It’s a scenario where experience in big situations plays a huge role, according to Stumler.
“We knew what we were coming for today. It was never something we really talked about, the SEC championship was on the line, but we all knew and were very aware that we needed to win today,” Stumler said. “We’ve been preparing really hard this past week and knew that Florida is always a big match. Just staying locked in and knowing there’s a lot on the line, so everyone needs to come together and that’s what happened. It’s really cool. People were crying, then we can just snap in. Just a lot of competitive maturity.”
Eighth-ranked Kentucky beat No. 20 Florida in three sets on Friday behind 18 kills from Stumler. The Floyds Knobs, Indiana, native added six digs and a block assist in the match.
Tharp also had a big hand in the victory. The Louisville native had seven digs and three set assists, which tied her career high in that category.
UK head coach Craig Skinner was very pleased with his team’s effort in transition on Friday.
“Our transition game was unreal today,” Skinner said. “We had 34 transition kills out of 52 and that’s a very large number.”
By winning the match, Kentucky claimed at least a share of its fifth straight SEC volleyball regular season title. The Cats can win the conference title outright with a win on Saturday against Florida.
In the process, Skinner earned his 400th career victory as a head coach. After the match, the entire team ran to Skinner to hug and congratulate him on the accomplishment.
The three seniors raved about their head coach after the match.
“It’s an honor to play for someone like that,” Scheitzach said. “Being able to be coached by him and led by him, he invests in you as a person and a player.”
Tharp agreed.
“Being coached by Craig, his charisma is so calming but it’s got a ‘let’s go’ kind of attitude,” Tharp said. “You can’t really get that from another coach. He has built such a good relationship with every player on the floor.”
Stumler appreciates how much Skinner cares about the players.
“If you look at the trajectory of where this program has gone since he got here, I think that speaks for itself,” Stumler said. “The best coach I’ve ever had. Wouldn’t trade him for the world. He’s somebody who cares so much about us and how we perform in school and how our character is.”
Skinner also had wonderful things to say about his seniors.
“This group of seniors, arguably the most important senior class we’ve ever had,” Skinner said. “What they do to this team, what they bring to practice every day, how they are all-in, all the time for not only their teammates but the program, the university, the state. This group, I could go on and on for days about them. I’m proud of what they’ve accomplished so far.”
He identified the qualities that make these seniors who they are.
“Passion, selfless, determined, character and, plus, extremely good volleyball players,” Skinner said. “This group of three, whatever role they’re in, it’s all in. Whatever role I have, I’m going to be my best for my team.”
A group that has won four straight SEC titles and a national championship is being honored this weekend. But on Friday, that turned out to be just one of many celebrations inside Memorial Coliseum.
