UK volleyball staff go to Paris Olympics supporting former Wildcat
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 2, 2024) — For the University of Kentucky’s volleyball program, it’s all about showing up for their athletes.
Some of the Kentucky Volleyball staff crossed the Atlantic to make it all the way to Paris, France to support former Wildcat Avery Skinner compete with Team USA at the Olympics.
In 2021, Avery graduated from the UK College of Health Sciences after helping her team win the 2020-21 NCAA National Championship — UK’s first national title in the sport. Now she is the first Kentucky Volleyball player to compete in the Olympics and representing Team USA.
But it wouldn’t feel right without some of Avery’s Wildcat family nearby, so Kentucky Volleyball Head Coach Craig Skinner and Senior Athletic Trainer Katy Poole made the journey to watch their former athlete compete.
“Kentucky Volleyball has always been about supporting and celebrating others, so when Avery called and asked if we would be able to come, it was a no-brainer,” said Poole.
One of Poole’s favorite parts about working as a college athletic trainer is the relationships she builds with the athletes.
“Avery and I clicked pretty much right away when she got to Lexington,” said Poole. “She overcame a lot during her time at UK, both on and off the court. She’s worked and earned every single good thing that has come her way, and it means a lot to me that I get to support her along her journey.”
It was important for Kentucky Volleyball to be present and support an athlete who meant so much to their team.
“It was a pleasure coaching Avery and she invested so much of herself into Kentucky’s program, so it was very important for me to travel and support her at this level,” said Coach Skinner. “I couldn’t be more proud of someone. She rose up to every challenge and realized obstacles are just part of the journey. All of us who worked with her are so proud to be a small piece of her bigger picture.”
When they finally got to watch Avery take the court in the South Paris Arena, the staff said it was emotional to see all her hard work pay off.
“There aren’t words to describe the feeling of watching Avery play on the world’s biggest stage,” said Poole. “I got emotional during warm-ups and again when she subbed in the first time. It was an overwhelming sense of pride, gratitude and joy.”
USA Women’s Volleyball will play its next match Aug. 4 against France. Find more information about times and how to watch Avery and the rest of Team USA here.
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