Craig Skinner knew Kentucky could be national title good early

Craig Skinner has turned Kentucky volleyball into a national powerhouse. The long-time rulers of the SEC can now send a statement to the rest of the volleyball world. It is very hard to win multiple national championships. That is exactly what UK can do on Sunday afternoon in Kansas City just five years after winning the program’s first national title.

The 56-year-old knew early that his 21st team in Lexington had a chance to be special.

“Probably a month or two into the spring. You could just see the commitment of each other, and I think sometimes there can be some friction or egos,” Skinner told NCAA Digital’s Michella Chester. “But I think this group just really saw the benefit of each person, each player for the betterment of the team which is a massive piece of the beginnings. You just get a sense that this team has “it”.

There is no denying that this group is special. Kentucky rolled through the SEC and has only dropped two matches all season. The Cats were unblemished in conference play and followed that up with a conference title. Now they will need to beat just one more SEC team (Texas A&M) to bring the hardware back to Lexington.

Skinner believes this team’s will to win has separated them all season. Now we all will get to see that play out in Kansas City.

“The collective group of competitive desire and will, I think has been shown all along but I think they do it because they love each other and they love the people behind them,” Skinner explained. “It’s just, like, I want to do so well for the people behind me and that they’re just going to refuse any opportunity to quit.”

Now there is only one thing left to do — win the whole daggum thing.

Kentucky vs. Texas A&M: How to Watch

• Start Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
• Where: T-Mobile Center (Kansas City)
• TV: ABC (Courtney Lyle, Holly McPeak, Katie George, Madison Fitzpatrick)

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