This Season They Will Do The HUNTING

There were so many positive things to take from today's Kentucky scrimmage against Illinois. I'm not sure why an image of a happy, confident, jumpy Brooke Bultema about five minutes into warmups made this article write itself, but it did. 

Last year, I did my daily show for the First Serve Showcase, and I was so fired up for the start of the season. I knew Kentucky had a good team, but I also knew they played Nebraska to open the year, and because Elise Goetzinger jumped ship for her final year to Creighton, she left the 'Cats with exactly 0 returning reps at Middle Blocker.  Then came the experienced, nasty, OUT FOR BLOOD Andi Jackson and Becca Alick Husker Middles.  I will never forget wanting to send a lifeline to Bultema and Daly that night and find someone on the bench to throw in and help those kids, but there wasn't any.  It was a long night and, at times, a long year as that group learned the ropes of playing one of the toughest schedules in all of D1 volleyball.  They improved greatly, gained so much confidence, and nearly made the final four, but I still had that vision in my head.

Fast forward to this morning.....those "young middles" were nowhere to be found.  In fact, that entire "young team" was nowhere in sight.  It was as if the Bultema and Daly (now taking over primarily on the right side pin), transfer Lizzie Carr and Sophomore Kennedy Washington, could be thrown into the PVF match Saturday night and it wouldn't phase them.  This group is ready to HUNT.  Bultema is a leader, brings energy, and looks to be an offensive presence for both setters at any time.  Carr could lead the SEC in blocks and will gladly terminate a quick if given the chance.

Then you see their leader with a clipboard, not in a uniform.  They have a position coach now, but if given a choice, she will suit up in a heartbeat, and I'm sure you wouldn't have to ask her twice to go take a swing at an SEC or national rival.  She has instantly instilled a presence with this position group.  Almost like it's cool to be a middle blocker at Kentucky now.  The days of that night in Louisville are gone, but I'm guessing this group has an August date in Nashville circled and are salivating this time, not petrified.  This is a group of middles that want to be at Kentucky. No one jumped ship for greener pastures, and they are ready to take after their position coach and play with intensity and compete, and they won't back down from anyone.

Yep that's what I took from looking at Brooke Bultema about 5 minutes into warmups, she's ready to HUNT.