Hannah Benjamin Nearing Full Return from Injury as Spring Ball Continues

After suffering an ACL injury just before the team's trip to Japan last Spring that sidelined her for the entirety of the 2024 season, it appears that redshirt freshman Hannah Benjamin is nearing full strength and just about ready to contribute for the Cats. Hailing from the state of Georgia, the 6'1" outside was one of the best hitters in the 2024 freshman class before her injury forced her to watch from the sideline as Kentucky captured an eighth-straight Southeastern Conference Championship.

But as we approach the heart of spring ball, Benjamin is ready to make an impact, even if it only comes in the practice gym. While not yet participating in any contact drills or swinging at the ball with an opposing block across the net, Benjamin is a full participant in practice with the team and in the weight room regularly to prepare for the season. Most of her work right now is in controlled drills involving arm swinging and making blocking movements across an empty net. Assistant coach Merideth Jewell says the coaching staff has been pleased with her progress and is excited to get her back on the court with no limitations very soon. 

"It's fun to see her make full block moves and jump. I think we've been really impressed with how quickly her vertical has come back. So that's really exciting."

While the staff is unsure whether or not we'll get to see her on the court in any of their spring matches, they're encouraged and hopeful that Cats fans can be formally introduced to one of their newest hitters very soon.