Kassie O'Brien earns another weekly SEC award as Kentucky VB remains a top 3 team

Photo of Kassie O'Brien (left), Molly Tuozzo (middle), and Molly Berezowitz via Marissa Gilchrist, UK Athletics

Kentucky volleyball coach Craig Skinner has found himself a future star in rookie setter Kassie O’Brien.

O’Brien received her third weekly SEC award of the season on Monday when the league announced she was named SEC Co-Freshman of the Week. The Texas native was excellent once again for the Wildcats in the team’s lone match last week, a clean sweep of Ole Miss. In what was her first SEC road start, O’Brien racked up 34 assists, three blocks, two digs, and one kill while helping lead the Kentucky offense to a .393 hitting percentage.

This is O’Brien’s first SEC Freshman of the Week honor this season, but she’s also picked up a pair of SEC Setter of the Week recognitions along the way. After having to win the starting setter job early in the season, she’s established herself as one of the best players in the conference. She now has five straight matches with at least 30 assists.

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Keep ‘em coming!!! — SEC Freshmen of the Week🔥

⭐️Kassie O’Brien#WeAreUK x #BBN pic.twitter.com/ba04gCCXEG
— Kentucky Volleyball (@KentuckyVB) October 6, 2025

With O’Brien guiding the offense, and power hitters Brooklyn DeLeye and Eva Hudson shining on the outside, Kentucky (10-2) continues to look like a legitimate national title threat. The Wildcats once again checked in at No. 3 nationally in the latest AVCA Top 25 poll released Monday. Only Nebraska (which reverse-swept UK early in the season) and Texas (an upcoming league foe), respectively, sit ahead of the ‘Cats in the rankings. Kentucky’s only other loss this season came to a Pitt team that is currently ranked No. 4.

And as you might have guessed, another ranked opponent awaits Kentucky. Skinner and Co. will travel to College Station on Wednesday for a showdown with No. 9 Texas A&M (7:00 p.m. ET | SEC Network). UK will play two matches this week, the second coming on Sunday. The ‘Cats will remain on the road against the Tigers with a start time set for 1:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.

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