Kentucky Volleyball Checks in at No. 10 in Preseason Poll

With the start of the women’s college volleyball season just around the corner, the American Volleyball Coaches’ Association officially released its preseason poll Tuesday afternoon, with Kentucky checking in at No. 10. The Cats were rated one spot ahead of Southeastern Conference foe Florida, making them the highest-ranked squad from the SEC to begin the year.

It’s the fifth time ever and fourth in the last five years that Kentucky has begun the season ranked in the Top. 10. Last year, the Cats began the 2022 campaign as the No. 11 team in the country before eventually falling to San Diego in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.

Navigating the Non-Conference

It won’t take long for that ranking to be challenged however, as the Cats will play at least five matches against non-conference opponents currently ranked in the AVCA Top 25, four of which will be against teams in the Top 5.

Headlining the non-conference slate is a pair of matches against No. 5 Pittsburgh, one at Rupp Arena and one back in Pittsburgh just two days later. Shortly after their second match against the Panthers, the Wildcats will travel to West Lafayette, Ind. to take on No. 19 Houston. And the Cats will finish non-conference play with two matches on the road in hostile environments at No. 4 Louisville and No. 5 Nebraska.

However, it won’t be a breeze through the SEC either, as Kentucky will play two matches against both No. 11 Florida and No. 25 Arkansas throughout the year.

Kentucky fans can catch the Cats on the ESPN Family of Networks ten times this season, headlined by the match against the Cardinals on September 13. The Bluegrass Battle will be broadcast on ESPN, the second time the Cats have played on ESPN in the regular season in program history.

Full Kentucky Volleyball TV Schedule

• Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Pitt; 7 p.m. ET; Lexington, Ky. (SEC Network)
• Sunday, Sept. 3 vs. Pitt; Noon ET; Pittsburgh, Pa. (ACC Network)
• Wednesday, Sept. 13 vs. Louisville; 8 p.m. ET; Louisville, Ky. (ESPN)
• Sunday, Sept. 24 vs. Tennessee; 3 p.m. ET; Lexington, Ky. (ESPN or ESPN2)
• Friday, Sept. 29 at Georgia; 7 p.m. ET; Athens, Ga. (SEC Network)
• Sunday, Oct. 15 at Tennessee; 5 p.m. ET, Knoxville, Tenn. (SEC Network)
• Sunday, Oct. 22 vs. Arkansas; 1 p.m. ET; Fayetteville, Ark. (SEC Network)
• Friday, Oct. 27 at LSU; 9 p.m. ET; Baton Rouge, La. (SEC Network)
• Sunday, Nov. 5 at Florida; 4 p.m. ET; Gainesville, Fla. (ESPN2)
• Sunday, Nov. 12 vs. Georgia; 1 p.m. ET; Lexington, Ky. (SEC Network)

The Cats will begin their 2023 campaign with an exhibition match against Western Kentucky on Thursday, August 17 at 6:00 pm ET inside Rupp Arena. Following the conclusion of the match, fans can visit all UK Volleyball players and coaches to get autographs, photos, and free posters along the concourses of Rupp Arena. Admission and parking are free to the public and gates to Rupp Arena will open one hour prior to first serve.