UK Volleyball's Megan Wilson makes USA Collegiate National Team

On Wednesday June 12, USA Volleyball announced its collegiate team to train alongside the USA Olympic Women’s team. On that roster was none other than Kentucky’s Megan Wilson.

The 19-player roster features some of the best college volleyball players around the country. Practicing with Wilson includes Lauren Briseño from Baylor, Ifenna Cos-Okpalla from Texas A&M, Phekran Kong from Louisville, and Lydia Martyn from Wilson’s former school, the University of Oklahoma.

The practices will take place from June 30-July 6 in Anaheim, California. Chris McGown of Gold Medal Squared will serve as the team’s head coach. Gold Medal Squared offers elite-level volleyball training for clubs around the country.

“To think that the work we do could be a part of someone’s Olympic journey is really inspiring, and I know our staff will bring our best every day,” McGown said to USA Volleyball.

Wilson, a 6-foot-4 outside hitter, has been crucial in Kentucky’s success this past season. Despite spending her freshman and sophomore years at Oklahoma, Wilson used her talents to help lead Kentucky to its seventh consecutive SEC Championship. Now, however, Wilson will be using her gifts on the road to play opposite for the U.S. National Team.

Last season, Wilson averaged only 2.44 kills per set, but that doesn’t make her any less talented. Just check out this play from Sept. 22, 2023 against LSU — Wilson dove over top of the scorers’ table to rescue a shanked ball, dove back onto the court, and still got the kill for her team. That play was number one on the Sports Center Top 10, by the way.

Wilson recorded a career-best 20 kills against Alabama on Oct. 1, 2023, and hit on a .171 clip on 67 sets played. She also recorded 27 blocks and 161 total kills in 22 matches on the season.

Wilson getting selected for the collegiate team means that she’ll get to play alongside UK Volleyball alum, Avery Skinner. While the pair never crossed paths at Kentucky, both Wilson and Skinner specialize in outside hitting. Plus, both are from the “Lone Star” region of USA Volleyball, meaning there’s even more of a chance the two will play together.