UK VOLLEYBALL: Madison Lilley Chosen SEC Player of Year; Curry, Skinner Grab Major SEC Honors
LEXINGTON, Ky. – UK senior Madison Lilley was named the 2020-21 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, senior Gabby Curry won SEC Libero of the Year, Craig Skinner was named Co-Coach of the Year and six Kentucky players were named to the All-SEC team, the conference office announced on Sunday afternoon.
In addition to Lilley and Curry winning Player and Libero of the Year, four other Wildcats were named to the All-Southeastern Conference Team, as Alli Stumler, Azhani Tealer, Avery Skinner and Madi Skinner were named all-conference.
Madison Lilley, SEC Player of the Year
11.9 assists per set
24 service aces
2.32 digs per set
Seven-time SEC Setter of the Week
Five-time SEC Player of the Week
Gabby Curry, SEC Libero of the Year
Third-straight SEC Libero of the Year title
3.62 digs per set to lead all UK players
Two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Week
Alli Stumler, All-SEC
SEC Offensive Player of the Week in the fall
Led UK with 4.27 kills per set this season
Also had 2.41 digs per set
Avery Skinner, All-SEC
Registered 3.84 kills per set, and 4.04 against teams in the AVCA Top-50
SEC Offensive Player of the Week in the fall
1.71 digs per set, as she played all six rotations
Madi Skinner, All-SEC and All-Freshman Team
Two-time SEC Freshman of the Week
Responsible for 2.52 kills per set
Four matches this season with 10-plus kills
Azhani Tealer, All-SEC
Transitioned to middle blocker this year
SEC Defensive Player of the Week in the fall
Hit a team-high .463 and averaged 1.33 blocks per set, which also led Kentucky.
Craig Skinner, SEC Co-Coach of the Year
Fourth-straight SEC Championship
Fourth SEC Coach of the Year title
16th-straight NCAA Tournament appearance by securing the SEC’s automatic qualifying spot
Player of the Year: Madison Lilley, Kentucky
Libero of the Year: Gabby Curry, Kentucky
Freshman of the Year: Taylor Head, Arkansas
Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Jillian Gillen, Arkansas
Co-Coaches of the Year: Jason Watson, Arkansas
and Craig Skinner, Kentucky
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Third-ranked Kentucky had recently won its fourth straight Southeastern Conference title. The four SEC titles is the first time since 2010 that an SEC team has won the volleyball championship in four consecutive seasons. Additionally, this adds to a program-record streak for UK, which prior to 2017-2021, the team's current run, had never won more than two SEC titles consecutively.
The Wildcats finished the 2020-2021 season with a 19-1 record in an all-SEC schedule and clinched the league's automatic qualifying spot into the 2020-21 NCAA D1 Volleyball Tournament. The 48-team field will be bubbled in Omaha, Nebraska for the duration of the tournament beginning on April 14 with the national champion crowned on April 24 at the CHI Health Center in downtown Omaha.
The 2020-21 NCAA Volleyball Selection Show is Sunday at 4 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
