By LARRY VAUGHT
Senior setter Madison Lilley has helped Kentucky go 19-1 against a SEC-only conference schedule and UK likely will be a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
Her season has been so impressive that she should be the leading candidate for SEC Player of the Year honors along with All-American honors again. She not only has 791 assists this season but also leads the team with 24 service aces, is third with153 digs and second with 47 blocks. She also has 47 kills.
“She is playing with a lot of confidence and she should be playing with a lot of confidence,” Kentucky coach Craig Skinner said. “She does a great job of feeling who and when to set. In transition and rallies, you have to have a feel for it. We have a game plan and she does a good job with that. She can set in all areas of the net. The feel and ability to set a lot of different people is what separates her
“And speed. She’s got great foot speed to track down balls that aren’t perfect.”
Junior Allí Stumler has benefitted from Lilley’s play the last three seasons. She says the best part of Lilley’s game is everything.
“I cannot name something she is not good at. Leading, on and off the floor,” Stumler said. “Her life is not all about volleyball so off the floor she’s someone you want to be around. In moments when we need somebody, we’re always looking for her to fire us up, to give us that extra push. She really brings it all for us.”
Lilley believes communication is her best attribute.
“Just the longer that I’m playing, the more that I’m realizing how vital that is. Even if that’s just talking after rallies. Keeping it really candid,” Lilley said. “You’re never too good to over communicate, so I think that’s definitely something I bring to the table.”