In a thrilling announcement on Sunday, the Kentucky Volleyball team dominated the All-Southeastern Conference postseason team with five players making the cut. What’s more, they also secured two major individual awards. Brooklyn DeLeye was hailed as the SEC Freshman of the Year, while head coach Craig Skinner claimed the title of SEC Co-Coach of the Year.
Kentucky’s stellar line-up on the All-SEC Team included Eleanor Beavin, DeLeye, Emma Grome, Reagan Rutherford, and Azhani Tealer. These players showcased their exceptional skills, earning them a spot among the 18-person team. The team also had two representatives on the All-SEC Freshman Team, with Molly Tuozzo joining DeLeye on this prestigious list.
It’s important to note that the SEC head coaches were responsible for voting on these awards. Each head coach had to refrain from voting for their own players, and only SEC stats were taken into account.
Let’s take a closer look at the achievements of these remarkable individuals:
Eleanor Beavin, an All-SEC player, put up impressive numbers with 33 digs per set, 53 assists per set, and 30 aces per set.
Brooklyn DeLeye, who not only secured the title of SEC Freshman of the Year but also made it onto the All-SEC and SEC All-Freshman teams, showcased her exceptional talent with 24 kills per set, a .335 hitting percentage, and 26 digs per set.
Emma Grome, another All-SEC player, led in NCAA assists per set with a staggering 12.68. She also contributed 85 digs per set and 42 blocks per set.
Reagan Rutherford, an All-SEC player, made her mark with 36 kills per set, a .336 hitting percentage, and a noteworthy 0.6 blocks per set.
Azhani Tealer, who earned All-SEC honors for the fifth-straight year, exhibited her talents with 0.2 blocks per set and an impressive .404 hitting percentage.
Molly Tuozzo, a member of the SEC All-Freshman Team, showcased her promising talent with 30 digs per set, 19 aces (only one short of the team lead), and 38 assists per set.
In addition to Kentucky’s dominance, the All-SEC Team included exceptional players from other schools such as Jill Gillen, Taylor Head, and Hannah Hogue from Arkansas, Madison Scheer from Auburn, Kennedy Martin from Florida, Kacie Evans and Sophie Fischer from Georgia, Jordan Iliff and Maya Sands from Missouri, Morgahn Fingall and Caroline Kerr from Tennessee, and Logan Lednicky from Texas A&M.
The All-Freshman Team featured Kennedy Martin from Florida, Brooklyn DeLeye and Molly Tuozzo from Kentucky, Jurnee Robinson from LSU, Sierra Dudley from Missouri, Caroline Kerr from Tennessee, and Bianna Muoneke from Texas A&M.
Some additional accolades were given out during the announcement, with Sophie Fischer from Georgia earning the title of Player of the Year and Maya Sands from Missouri named Libero of the Year. The Scholar-Athletes of the Year were awarded to Hannah Hogue from Arkansas and Morgahn Fingall from Tennessee. Finally, the Coach of the Year title was shared by Jason Watson from Arkansas, Craig Skinner from Kentucky, Dawn Sullivan from Missouri, and Eve Rackham Watt from Tennessee.
In other exciting news for Kentucky Volleyball, Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center in Lexington will be the primary home venue for the team during the 2023-24 season while Memorial Coliseum undergoes an $82 million renovation.
To stay up-to-date on all things related to UK Volleyball, be sure to follow the Wildcats on Twitter and Instagram at @KentuckyVB.
