Healthy Lamb Prepared for Senior Season
Erin Lamb had flashes of brilliance as a junior last season. There were times when Lamb was an offensive force for the Cats in 2023. However, there were also times when she struggled, primarily due to injuries.
Lamb played in 21 of 29 matches last season and had 140 kills. She hit .208 but at times, she had matches where she made things very difficult on the opposition. She had 14 kills and hit .480 in a win over Georgia. She had 10 kills and hit .450 in a win over Missouri. She had 12 kills and hit .417 in a win at Arkansas.
Despite these outstanding performances, Lamb was dealing with injuries all last season. How is she feeling heading into the 2024 season?
“I’m feeling really good, I’m feeling great,” Lamb said. “A lot of my injuries, at this point, we’re just trying to prevent any flareups. Everything I’m doing in the training room is preventative at this point. Just trying to give myself the best chance physically so I can go have the best season that I possibly can. It’s always in the back of my mind, it’s hard to not be in the back of my mind about everything that I’ve been through but trying to just let that fear go and play my game and not have to think about it would be really nice this season.”
While having to sit out at times last season while battling her injuries, Lamb was able to watch and learn from her teammates. It also motivated her to get back on the court.
“I think watching from the sidelines is definitely motivating,” Lamb said. “To be able to go out and have a season when I feel 100 percent most of the time is absolutely motivating and to let myself play super free and loose and take care of business.”
Lamb believes that the Cats’ trip to Japan over the summer will be beneficial to the team as they head into the 2024 season.
“Japan was so fun. Such a cool experience,” Lamb said. “I’ve never been out of the country like that, so I was just immersing myself in that culture. It was very tough and challenging but we were definitely trying to soak it up. We learned a lot about ourselves and our team. It was really cool to have that experience.”
Being a senior, Lamb is ready to lead the 2024 Cats in her own way.
“I definitely just try to be myself,” Lamb said. “I try to take it upon myself to lead by example and bring others with me, especially the freshmen. Just taking them along with me but doing my own thing. Knowing that I’ve known the standard and just playing it out and letting them see it.”
A healthy Lamb will be very important for the Cats this season. If she can stay injury-free, Lamb will give Kentucky another option on offense in 2024.
