Four Kentucky volleyball players named All-Americans, tied for most in country

Kentucky volleyball’s season might have come to an end in the Sweet 16 this year, but several Wildcats are being honored for their year-long contributions to the nationally-ranked program.

On Wednesday morning, the 2022 All-American teams were announced by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Four Kentucky players were a part of the 42-woman class, which includes 14 members on the first, second, and third teams. Southeastern Conference Player of the Year Emma Grome (second team), All-SEC performer Azhani Tealer (second team), Adanna Rollins (third team), and Reagan Rutherford (third team) made up the Wildcats’ selections.

Kentucky’s four All-Americans are tied with Texas for most in the country.

4⃣ Wildcats have been named 2022 @AVCAVolleyball All-Americans!

😼 @EmmaGrome
😼 @AzhaniTealer
😼 @AdannaRollins
😼 @Reaganrutherfrd #WeAreUK x #BBN pic.twitter.com/KsDn1rmPJp

— Kentucky Volleyball (@KentuckyVB) December 14, 2022

This is the second All-American honor for both Grome and Tealer. Grome was also a second-team All-American as a freshman in 2021 while Tealer was tabbed as an honorable mention. Rollins and Rutherford are both first-time All-Americans.

Kentucky won the SEC regular season championship this season, which extended the school’s streak of winning or sharing the conference title to six years in a row. The ‘Cats ultimately earned a top 16 seed in the 2022 NCAA Tournament and hosted the first two rounds, which UK escaped without any trouble.

However, in the Sweet 16 on Dec. 8 against No. 3 San Diego, Kentucky was swept by the Toreros, cutting the team’s run at a second national title short. San Diego is still alive and will take on top-ranked Texas this Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. EST.

Below is more information on all four Kentucky All-Americans, courtesy of UK Athletics.

Emma Grome, So., S
Loveland, Ohio
Second Team All-America

• SEC Player of the Year
• Led all power-five setters in assists per set
• Eight-time SEC Player of the Week
• All-SEC

Azhani Tealer, Sr., MB
Grand Prairie, Texas
Second Team All-America

• All-SEC
• SEC Defensive Player of the Week on final match days of the season
• Set a UK record with 13 block assists in a single match
• 10 matches with 10+ kills

Adanna Rollins, Sr., OH
Lantana, Texas
Third Team All-America

• Eight-straight matches with 10+ kills
• All-SEC
• Three double-doubles
• 15 total matches with 10+ kills

Reagan Rutherford, Jr., Opp
Missouri City, Texas
Third Team All-America

• All-SEC
• Hilton Omaha Bluejay Invitational MVP
• Two-time SEC Player of the Week
• 10+ kills in 15 of 18 matches