Voleyball

In addition to her Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor, DeBeer also received numerous accolades this season. She was named the East Region Player of the Year and first team All-East Region, as well as earning a spot on the NCAA All-Regional team. Her impressive performances included a double-double with 19 kills and 13 digs in the Sweet 16 match against Creighton. She also had a career-high 29 kills and 30 points in a match against No. 7 Pittsburgh, along with five aces in a match against Wake Forest. DeBeer also joined the 1,000 Career Kill Club this year.

Associate head coach Dan Meske spoke highly of Untiedt, praising her competitiveness and vibrant personality. He believes she will be a fan favorite due to her exceptional skills on the court. Not only is she an elite backrow player, but she also has the ability to set, making her a versatile asset to the team.

DeBeer, who was already named a Second Team All-American, had an outstanding season on the court as well. She was named the East Region Player of the Year, and was honored with a spot on the first team All-East Region and the NCAA All-Regional team. DeBeer was an instrumental part of the Louisville team, leading in various statistical categories including kills (392), points (438.5), and double doubles (12). Her performances did not go unnoticed, as she was twice named the ACC Offensive Player of the Week.

Nayelis Cabello hails from Clermont, Florida, where she played for East Ridge High School under the guidance of head coach Mayra Cuebas. Cabello, a 6-0 setter, also shined on the club circuit for Top Select Volleyball Academy under coach German Del-Valle. Her impressive performances earned her All-American honors twice and she was a part of the AAU runner-up squad in 2023. Cabello’s talent was further recognized when she was named an MVP at the Under Armour Next Selection Camp in 2022.

Kentucky faced a formidable challenge this season, as they played a total of 16 matches against ranked teams. This impressive feat set a new program record for the most matches against ranked opponents. Their dedication and skill were evident in every game, as they competed against some of the toughest competition in the nation.

Grome, who led the NCAA with an average of 12.10 assists per set, played a crucial role in driving the Kentucky offense to an outstanding .285 hitting percentage for the season. She helped her team become the only one in the SEC with six different players averaging over two kills per set. Grome also displayed strong defensive skills, contributing 1.75 digs per set and a career-best 43 blocks throughout the season. Her exceptional performance has earned her a spot on the All-SEC team for the third consecutive year, as well as an AVCA All-Region membership. Grome has been a consistent presence on the AVCA Second Team All-American list throughout her three seasons with the Kentucky Volleyball team.

This marks Scott’s second appearance on the second team, as she made the list last season during Louisville’s run to the National Finals. DeBeer, on the other hand, missed the majority of last season due to injury and was therefore not eligible. However, she more than made up for it this year, earning several accolades including being named East Region Player of the Year and first team All-East Region, as well as NCAA All-Regional.

DeBeer, who was recently named the ACC Player of the Year and voted to the NCAA All-Regional Team, has had an outstanding season. She was also honored as the AVCA East Region Player of the Year. Glock, a second team All-ACC selection, was named to the AVCA First Team All-East Region. Luper, who was recognized as a First Team All-ACC and First Team All-East Region player, has been a key contributor to the team’s success. Cresse, who was named First Team AVCA All-East Region and Second Team All-ACC, has also been recognized for her strong performance on the court.

The PVF season is set to commence on Friday, January 26, 2024, with the regular season extending until May 11. The playoffs will then begin in mid-May, adding an extra layer of intensity to the competition.

Throughout the season, Rutherford displayed her exceptional skills on the court, averaging 3.47 kills per set in her 78 appearances. She also contributed 1.53 digs per set and 0.90 blocks per set. Her stellar performance earned her a spot on the All-SEC team for the third time in her career. Additionally, she was recently named to the All-Region team and received the honor of being recognized as an American Volleyball Coaches’ Association All-American for the first time in her career in 2022.