Kentucky Volleyball to open 2025 campaign this weekend

Ava Sarafa named as starting setter

NASHVILLE, Tn. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – Kentucky volleyball opens their 2025 campaign on the road this weekend with two big matchups in Nashville.

The Wildcats face Lipscomb on Saturday before taking on No. 1 Nebraska on Sunday at Bridgestone Arena. That matchup will air live on ABC 36 at 12 p.m.

Head coach Craig Skinner announced redshirt sophomore Ava Sarafa will start at setter, succeeding Kentucky’s all-time assists leader, Emma Grome.

“She’s worked really hard for that role,” said junior outside hitter Brooklyn DeLeye. “The past couple year’s playing under Emma Grome, she’s learned a lot. Going into that starting position you can see her vocal skills have really come alive. She’s always making sure she’s talking to the hitters. She’s always communicating with us on what we need, and you can tell that she is really in it for us.”

“Her defense has improved tremendously,” added junior libero Molly Tuozzo. “She’s digging some balls that I’m like, ‘I don’t even know how anyone got that up.’ So that’s a really big piece that has grown for her.”

The cats swept Ohio State 4-0 in a home exhibition game last Saturday, and are currently ranked No. 7 nationally.