Cats Impress as Intersquad Match Gives Fans First Glimpse of 2025 Team

Originally, Sunday afternoon was scheduled to be an opportunity for the Kentucky volleyball team to see some game action against an opponent outside of the practice gym as Ohio University was set to come to Lexington for a clash with the blue and white. However, thanks to some weather that brought historically bad flooding to the area, Ohio was unable to make it to Lexington. As a result, the Cats shifted to a public intersquad match that gave Kentucky fans an opportunity to get their first glimpse of the 2025 squad. 

Because of the nature of the match, every Wildcat got the opportunity to see significant playing time as the coaching staff shuffled players from team to team to create new matchups, rosters, and lineups. 

Leading the way was junior outside hitter Brooklyn DeLeye, who continues to impress with every match she plays. While official stats weren't kept, according to stats tracked at the media table, DeLeye finished the afternoon with a whopping 22 kills through just four sets of play. She also added seven digs, four blocks, and an ace in the effort as she stuffed the staff sheet while continuing to solidify her connection with each new setter on the roster.

Speaking of the setters, freshman Kassie O'Brien and redshirt sophomore Ava Sarafa made their unofficial debuts in front of Cats fans Sunday as they played on opposite sides of the net to direct the offense for their respective teams. O'Brien showed off her connection with the middles, as she made an intentional effort to find them quickly in transition both in front of and behind the setter, a skill that's incredibly difficult to master, especially this early. She also finished with a match-high three service aces as she kept pressure on the opposing team from behind the service line all afternoon long. 

As for Sarafa, her defensive prowess was on full display as she was one of three Wildcats to eclipse double figures in digs on the afternoon. Sarafa finished with 11 digs, something that she credits to her play last year as a serving specialist, and says that she is still continuing to train that area of her game. 

"I guess I got used to playing defense last year, playing in left back," Sarafa said. "I mean left back and right back are a little bit different but we do train digging a lot. And honestly I'm still working on posture, being ready for the dig."

Redshirt sophomore Brooke Bultema added 13 kills of her own as her confidence continues to develop for UK head coach Craig Skinner in the middle. And according to her, the team's flexibility is a key reason that she, and the rest of the Wildcats, have already begun developing such a strong connection still four months out from the start of the season. 

"I think we're just looking more comfortable with each other. The Spring is a tricky time- so many new people, new culture, new plays, just trying to figure things out. And I think people are just being really flexible, really willing to learn. And it just makes that process so much easier. Really proud of the work we showed today but I know we have so much more potential. I'm just excited to see where we go." 

Rounding out the offense was Purdue transfer Eva Hudson and Kennedy Washington, who each finished with eleven kills. Freshman right side Georgia Watson added six kills of her own, Asia Thigpen and Lizzie Carr added five a piece, and Jordyn Dailey totaled four. 

Defensively, junior libero Molly Tuozzo was all over the floor as she picked up a game-high 24 digs. Molly Berezowitz added 14 of her own, Thigpen and freshman Trinity Ward each had nine, and Watson and Dailey had four. 

Following the match, Skinner was pleased with his team's improvement since the exhibition match against Dayton and cited his team's depth as a strength that he and the coaching staff will get to experiment with throughout the season once the fall rolls around. 

"There's options. We have some options to do some different things and some players have different strengths. So there may not necessarily be a set line up all the time, maybe it varies a little bit depending on matchups and weekends. But certainly we'll get our players to be ready to go every day in practice. 

As for his freshman, Skinner is thrilled with their early progress and impressed with their confidence on the court. 

"Cassie (O'Brien), Trinity (Ward), and Georgia (Watson) have been elite competitors for a long time. They've never really been scared of the moment. Even recruiting them, it's what we liked about them. And I even have been pleasantly pleased with the fact that they don't fear much."

Next up, the Cats will travel to Indianapolis for a matchup with Illinois on Saturday, April 12. First serve against the Illini is set for 1:00 pm.