Gaerte Brings Talent, Experience to Kentucky Volleyball Team
After finishing as national runner-up last season, the Kentucky volleyball team knew it had one giant hole to fill for the 2026 campaign.
Gone was Eva Hudson, a National Player of the Year finalist who carried the Cats to the title match. Hudson, a transfer from Purdue who exhausted her eligibility after last season, led Kentucky in kills and became the emotional spark plug that led UK on a magical run.
Head coach Craig Skinner went into the portal looking for someone to fill the void. And he came away with one of the best players available in the portal cycle, former Notre Dame standout Morgan Gaerte.
After playing in only 16 matches as a freshman for the Irish, Gaerte had a breakout season as a sophomore in 2025. She had 497 kills, averaged 4.65 kills per set and was named first-team All-ACC following the season. She also received AVCA Midwest Region First-Team honors, as well as AVCA honorable mention All-American accolades.
Gaerte’s transition to Kentucky has been relatively seamless.
“It’s been great,” she said. “Coming in here, I knew the standards were going to be high and it was going to be a super competitive group. But coming in, the girls welcomed me, I got acclimated pretty well and then kind of been finding my role throughout these practices in the spring. So, it’s been a really good experience.”
In addition to changing schools, Gaerte also changed positions with her move to UK.
“I actually switched positions,” Gaerte said. “I was on the outside at Notre Dame. Now, I’m on the right side here. That was something I was looking to get out of the portal. So, Craig thought that would be a great option for me and I agree. Just the blocking, setting up the defense, stuff like that. And it’s been a really good experience. There’s a lot to learn but just practicing that, getting reps with the setters, it’s been something I’ve been looking forward to.”
When she went into the transfer portal, Kentucky was the exact kind of school that Gaerte was hoping to find.
“I think the culture is so, so strong,” she said. “Obviously, we’re going for 10 (consecutive) SEC championships this year. Then, just talking to the coaches, they had a similar role for me in mind. I just wanted to come here and I thought it would be a great fit.”
Gaerte was a team captain at Notre Dame last season, and she’s finding her spot as a leader with her Kentucky teammates.
“There’s a leadership already on this team with these seniors,” Gaerte said. “That’s just something where I’ve been trying to look for my role here. I think everyone is on the same page, so I think that’s something that makes us stand out from other teams.”
Gaerte was one of four Wildcats named to the AVCA Preseason Player of the Year watch list (joining Brooklyn DeLeye, Kassie O’Brien and Molly Tuozzo). While she appreciates the recognition, Gaerte knows there is work to be done.
“It’s obviously a really good pat on the back but at the end of the day, it doesn’t mean a whole lot,” Gaerte said. “I think there’s a lot to prove this season. I think it’s great that so many girls on Kentucky made the list and it just shows how much talent we have.”
Gaerte figures to be a key cog for the Cats as they look for a 10th straight SEC regular season title and perhaps another deep NCAA Tournament run.
