Madi Skinner to transfer from Kentucky Volleyball

There was a shocking addition to the NCAA Volleyball Transfer Portal last night. Kentucky’s own Madi Skinner. A sophomore outside hitter for the ‘Cats last season that was also an important piece of the Wildcats’ 2020 National Championship team.

𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗹

✏️: Madi Skinner
🏐: Outside Hitter
📍: Kentucky#CollegeVBTransfers | #NCAAWVB pic.twitter.com/ZPUXhx7tkW

— College VBall Transfers (@CVBTransfers) December 24, 2021

There’s no way around it: this is a huge loss for Craig Skinner’s program, assuming she remains in the transfer portal.

Skinner was arguably Kentucky’s most effective attacker this fall. Alli Stumler won the All-American recognition for her all-around play, but Skinner led the team in total kills and kills per set. She also led Kentucky in hitting percentage. Across the board, Madi Skinner was Kentucky’s best attacker statistically.

Skinner was the nation’s second-ranked recruit when she signed with the Wildcats prior to the 2020 season. She played alongside her older sister, Avery, a multi-time All-American and starter on the national championship team. Avery Skinner used her last season of eligibility as a grad transfer at Baylor. Closer to the Skinner’s home in Katy, Tx., she earned Honorable Mention All-American honors and helped the Bears reach the Sweet 16.

Neither Skinner, nor University of Kentucky have made an official announcement.

In terms of replacing her potential departure, Kentucky will look to some of its returners. Reagan Rutherford all of a sudden becomes the most seasoned attacker on the roster. The lefty off-side hitter was just a sophomore this past season and was fourth on the team in total attacks.

There’s also Erin Lamb, a touted freshman this fall who didn’t see a ton of action but stepped in for an injured Skinner and won SEC Player of the Week with a terrific performance on the road vs. Tennessee. She’s shown a lot of promise.

Those are the only certainties for UK in replacing Skinner. Otherwise, Craig Skinner will have to throw some freshmen straight into the fire. That wound up working with Emma Grome and Eleanor Beavin this season. Or maybe he’ll dip his toe in the transfer portal despite not taking any transfers in the past two seasons.

If Skinner does end up leaving, she leaves a huge hole for Kentucky to fill as she was likely to be the best player on next fall’s team. But this is Kentucky, where national titles are won. They’ll find a way to replace her, although maybe not immediately.