Brooklyn DeLeye and Molly Tuozzo Returning to Kentucky In 2027
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky Volleyball players Brooklyn DeLeye and Molly Tuozzo announced Wednesday in conjunction with head coach Craig Skinner that they will be returning to the program for the 2027 season.
Between them, DeLeye and Tuozzo have accounted for five All-SEC First Team appearances, four American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America honors, an SEC Player of the Year, SEC Tournament MVP, six AVCA All-Region Honors and a national runner-up finish in the Kentucky uniform.
“On behalf of the entire Kentucky Volleyball coaching staff, support staff and Big Blue Nation, we’re thrilled to welcome back Brooklyn and Molly to our team for the 2027 season,” Craig Skinner said. “Both Brooklyn and Molly are elite athletes, committed teammates and represent the best of Kentucky Volleyball. The sport of volleyball continues to grow at an immense pace and players like Brooklyn and Molly are the reason why. I’m so excited to be able to coach them for another year and for them to be surrounded by Big Blue Nation in 2027 as we help them reach their athletic and academic dreams here at UK.”
Outside hitter Brooklyn DeLeye has proved herself to be one of the most lethal offensive weapons and best all-around players in the country in her three-plus years at Kentucky so far. The 2023 SEC Freshman of the Year and 2024 SEC Player of the Year currently leads the Wildcats with 4.52 kills per set this season and has already three times been named SEC Player of the Week. DeLeye is a member of the AVCA’s National Player of the Year Watch List and earlier this season became the Kentucky program record holder for career aces with her 120th against the Oklahoma Sooners on October 16. She has 39 aces with her topspin serve this year and is averaging 1.91 digs per set alongside 397.5 offensive points scored.
“Being a part of Big Blue Nation and wearing Kentucky across my chest the last four years has been the honor of a lifetime and I’m excited to be extending that to a fifth year in 2027,” DeLeye said. “I know that by returning, I’ll be playing in one of the most competitive gyms in the country day-after-day and training with not only some of the best volleyball players and coaches in the nation, but some of my best friends as well. I’m looking forward to finishing out this season strong in front of BBN and staying in Lexington a little while longer! Go Cats!”
Molly Tuozzo is widely recognized as one of the nation’s best liberos as her dynamic play-making skills and incredible athleticism has guided her to an AVCA All-America honor in 2025 and the 2025 SEC Tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Tuozzo leads Kentucky with 3.99 digs per set this year and pushed her way up the Kentucky record books into second all-time in aces with her 120th-career ace against Tennessee on October 21. Tuozzo is also known for her second-ball contact, where she is averaging 1.14 assists per set in out-of-system situations with 82 set assists on the year in total. Tuozzo joined DeLeye on the AVCA Preseason Watch List for National Player of the Year, Preseason All-SEC and she has been named SEC Defensive Player of the Week twice this year.
“Kentucky Volleyball has meant the world to me and staying a fifth year was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up,” Tuozzo said. “I’ve made some incredible life-long memories and friendships that will forever define my time as a Wildcat both on and off the court. When talking to Craig about his vision for Kentucky Volleyball and what we can become, it was exciting to be offered the chance to run it back for a fifth year and continue playing a sport I love with some of my best friends at a place that has given me so many blessings. I’m loving every second of being with this current 2026 team and what makes it more special is knowing I get to do it again next year. Go Cats!”
Kentucky will close out its regular season home slate of matches this weekend as it plays host to Alabama on Friday night at 7 p.m. ET and Mississippi State at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon. Sunday afternoon’s match-up with MSU will be UK’s annual Senior Day with Kentucky honoring three student-managers and graduating seniors Lizzie Carr and Molly Berezowitz at 12:45 p.m. ET prior to the start of the match. Both matches will air live on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app.
For the latest on UK Volleyball, follow the Wildcats on Twitter and Instagram at @KentuckyVB.
