Kentucky using AVCA Showcase (which includes 4 Top 10 teams) as opportunity to 'prove to the world that we're ready'

ZGeogheganKSR

You won’t find a better way to kick off a volleyball season than what’s in store at the KFC Yum! Center less than a week from now. The 2024 campaign will get rolling on Tuesday, August 27 in Louisville with the AVCA First Serve Showcase.

The field in this event? Four of the nation’s 10 best programs: No. 2 Nebraska, No. 3 Wisconsin, No. 6 Louisville, and No. 9 Kentucky. It’ll be Nebraska vs. Kentucky in the first game of a doubleheader with Wisconsin vs. Louisville taking place immediately after. Between these decorated programs are seven national champions, 10 runner-up finishers, and 25 Final Four appearances.

Kentucky, which is coming off its seventh straight SEC championship and a Sweet 16 run in 2023, plans to use this event as a way to announce itself to the college volleyball world as a true title contender. The Wildcats got off to a slower-than-expected start last season before finishing strong — they’ll look to stay strong from beginning to end by taking down the Cornhuskers.

“You don’t know enough about your team until you’ve played against equally talented other teams,” Head coach Craig Skinner, who is entering his 20th season in charge, said on Monday.

After a record-setting 2023 season for the sport of women’s college volleyball, there will be plenty of eyes on this year’s edition. Both AVCA First Serve Showcase games will be broadcast on ESPN2, where Skinner says that ESPN will bring roughly 50 people to help televise the event. Additionally, there will be no line judges for the First Serve Showcase — a company named Bolt6 will use its technology to rule on calls.

“It’s huge for the sport,” Senior outside hitter Erin Lamb said. “You see the sport grow in the last couple of years like it’s never been. It’s been amazing to be a part of. I’m so thankful that Kentucky gets the opportunity to compete, especially early on — such a high-level team, such a well-done event. It’ll be really, really good for this team.”

Last season saw attendance and viewership records in the national semifinals and championship. Views on regular season matches were up 58 percent from the year prior, according to the NCAA. It was ESPN’s most-watched season of women’s college volleyball to date. Old fans and new fans will be tuning into this premier event to see Kentucky in action.

“I think it’s going to be really cool,” Senior setter Emma Grome said. “Obviously, nothing has been done like this in many, many years. So not exactly sure what to expect from it but I think it’s really cool that we got to be a part of it and prove to the world that we’re ready.”

This will be the first of many chances for Kentucky to prove it early on in the 2024 schedule. The Wildcats are set to face 10 of the preseason Top 25 teams throughout the season, including six in the Top 10. A date with No. 7 Penn State is set for Sept. 7. Western Kentucky — the first team ranked outside of the Top 25 — comes to Lexington on August 31.

The hunt for an eighth consecutive SEC championship certainly won’t come easy. Texas, the two-time defending national champs, are now in the same conference. Florida will once again roll out a Top 15 squad. Tennessee (No. 15), Arkansas (No. 19), and Georgia (No. 25) help make up what is arguably the deepest the SEC has ever been.

But taking down Nebraska first is the goal. It could be a sign of things to come, as well. Not only will Kentucky begin its season in Louisville, but they’ll hope to end it there too. The Yum! Center will also host the national championship.

“We’re really excited, it’s my hometown, so a ton of people are coming,” Senior libero Eleanor Beavin added. “I’m really excited. We’ve played Nebraska a lot over the last three years, so a familiar team. It being the first game, probably will be a little bit of nerves on both sides, maybe not the cleanest volleyball but it’s a really good opportunity for our program. We’re excited.”

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