LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – University of Kentucky volleyball fans gathered at Bluegrass Airport to cheer for the team and coach Craig Skinner as they departed for the program’s second NCAA Final Four appearance.
After a brief opportunity for questions and pictures, the team boarded their flight to Kansas City.
“For those that will be there, they’re going to have a wonderful experience. For those that are yelling at their TVs on Thursday night, we’ll feel it there too,” Skinner said.
Patti Stanton said she cannot make it to Kansas City, but was in the stands when the program won its first national title during the 2020 season.
“I did a Facebook live at the finals, saying my first Facebook live and their first national championship. This is happening and it did,” Stanton said.
Fans Rick and Holly Coffey said when they got tickets to the Final Four game, they knew they could not miss out.
“Oh, just to watch them play again. They are all of them just phenomenal athletes; they play like sisters,” Coffey said.
American Volleyball Coaches Association, Player of the Year finalist Eva Hudson said that the close connection fans see is what makes this team special.
“I think it’s just the connection we have off the court. We absolutely love one another, all of us live together, so we’re together 24/7,” Hudson said.
Ryan Waddles said he has confidence in the team. He said watching them play this season has been inspiring.
“I mean, if you’ve watched any game this year, you see what a team we have. They’re a family, they fight for each other, they’ve got grit, they never give up,” Waddles said.
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