Kentucky volleyball wrapped up the out-of-conference part of its schedule last Saturday.

With SEC play on the horizon, the Wildcats will look to win an eight straight SEC championship. Before that can happen, however, it’s important to reflect on a roller-coaster non-conference slate.

Head coach Craig Skinner is known for scheduling a very difficult out-of-conference schedule and 2024 was no different as the Cats started off against one of the best teams in the country in No. 2 Nebraska in the AVCA First Serve Showcase. Kentucky was defeated 3-1 in that match. 

“It wasn’t in the initial plan to play Nebraska right off the bat in the First Serve Showcase, but when (AVCA CEO) Jaime (Gordon) offered, I was like, ‘Absolutely,’” Skinner said after the match. “You know, our players love these situations and we are going to be a team that’s continuing learning through November, so it’s a great match for us.”

Skinner also emphasized that programs get far less out of playing lesser opponents than they do from losing to the best in the country.

Kentucky then traveled back home and hosted the Bluegrass Battle, which debuted the renovated Historic Memorial Coliseum. The Cats swept the tournament, beating Northern Kentucky, Western Kentucky and Morehead State with ease.

Skinner and the players loved being back in their old venue and the changes that were made while they were away in 2023.

“It was awesome,” star senior Emma Grome said after the Northern Kentucky match. “I mean, that place is seriously so cool and it’s better than we could have ever imagined.” 

Skinner also added his appreciation to the fans that showed out for the debuting of the venue.

“Well, what a very cool night to reopen Memorial. Couldn’t be more thankful,” Skinner said after the NKU match. “I know I’ve said this a million times, but just thankful for the opportunity for our players to play in a venue like this, the way it has been constructed and remodeled.” 

Against Western Kentucky, Skinner made a change in the lineup, moving sophomore Molly Tuozzo to libero. In the role, Tuozzo has thrived.

“I know it’s a big role to fill, so I’ve been trying to do my best to fill that role,” she said. “Be loud, be a leader for my teammates. It’s been great.”

Tuozzo has been great defensively this year and, with senior Eleanor Beavin leaving next year, the Cats look to have found their new libero for the next two years. 

After the homecoming, Kentucky was back playing in a top-ten matchup at home against current No. 4 Penn State.

Kentucky looked like it was going to get its first big win of the season, winning the first two sets and leading the third set 15-11 going into the media timeout, but Penn State went on an 8-2 run, taking the lead, and ended up winning the set 26-24. Penn State then ended up winning the next two sets and completed the reverse sweep, winning in five sets 3-2. 

The Cats ended up sweeping both James Madison and Ball State, which completed the Kentucky Invitational. 

The Cats then traveled to Dallas to play in the SMU Doubletree Invitational. 

Kentucky played the host and current No. 23 SMU in its first match and swept the Mustangs, getting a chance to win the tournament against No. 7 Purdue.

The contest against the Boilermakers was Kentucky’s third top-ten matchup of the year and marked another chance to get the first big win of non-conference play, but Kentucky came up short, losing 3-1.

After the loss, Kentucky fell out of the top 10 for the first time all year, dropping to No. 11 in the AVCA rankings.

Kentucky then came back home to play current No. 5 Louisville in one of the biggest rivalries in volleyball.

Kentucky dropped the first two sets, getting in a hole early, but came out in set three strong, winning the set 25-20.

Unfortunately for Skinner and Co, Louisville gave the Cats no hope for a comeback, dominating the fourth set 25-16 and taking the match 3-1.

In the Cats’ last match, Kentucky was looking to get a major upset, playing at current No. 3 Stanford.  Unfortunately again, just like in the match against Louisville, Kentucky lost the first two sets and won set three, but lost the match.

Kentucky went 6-5 in non-conference play with a record of 1-5 against current top 25 teams.

Looking into bright spots, sophomore Brooklyn DeLeye has solidified herself as one of the best players in the country. She leads the Cats with 161 kills, having 4.13 kills per set. 

With that in mind, going into conference play, Kentucky will need one of Erin Lamb, Megan Wilson or Brooke Bultema to step up. All three have shown flashes of being a great second option, but haven’t been consistent. 

Kentucky also has one of the best setters in the country in Grome, who already has 417 assists on the season with numerous highlight plays.

The Cats are anchored defensively by Tuozzo, who has 145 digs and has been a great leader in her sophomore season. 

Other notable names thus far include redshirt freshman Jordyn Dailey, who has 27 blocks and 33 kills. Asia Thigpen has also shown some sparks with 19 kills, but recently suffered an injury setback.

With the non-conference slate concluded, Kentucky kicks off SEC play Friday as the Cats travel to Auburn to take on the 10-1 Auburn Tigers at 9 p.m. ET. The game will be aired live on the SEC Network.