Kentucky’s Madison Lilley Headlines AVCA Volleyball Awards

The AVCA announced its Division I Women’s Volleyball awards Thursday, highlighting the Player of the Year, Head and Assistant Coach of the Year and Freshman of the Year.

After winning the Southeast Region Player of the Year and SEC Player of the Year, Kentucky senior Madison Lilley was named the AVCA Women’s Division I Player of the Year. She led the NCAA with 12.33 assists per set. Since being named POY, Lilley has also helped the Wildcats to their first-ever women’s volleyball championship final.

"I am still at the point where I am speechless. It is beyond an amazing honor."

Hear from @KentuckyVB's @mplilley03 on making history and winning @AVCAVolleyball National Player of the Year. 🏆#NCAAVB pic.twitter.com/cQxyROpoo1

— NCAA Women's Volleyball (@NCAAVolleyball) April 22, 2021

But she’s not the only one making history for Kentucky. Head coach Craig Skinner was named Women’s Division I National Coach of the Year, the first time a Kentucky volleyball head coach has received the award.

🚨𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆🚨

Craig Skinner has been named the 𝗨𝗦𝗠𝗖/𝘼𝙑𝘾𝘼 𝙒𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣'𝙨 𝘿𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙄 𝘾𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧.@UKCoachSkinner | @KentuckyVB pic.twitter.com/Q0BKPJ8aoy

— AVCA (@AVCAVolleyball) April 22, 2021

Kentucky basketball head coach John Calipari was pretty excited about the awards, tweeting his congratulations and reminding people to watch the game.

.@UKCoachSkinner was named the @AVCAVolleyball National Coach of the Year and @mplilley03 was tabbed the AVCA National Player of the Year!

And @KentuckyVB plays in the Final Four TONIGHT at 7 on @espn vs. Washington!

So happy for Coach Skinner, Madison and the program!!! https://t.co/3u21ErHiOB

— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) April 22, 2021

Washington Assistant Coach Leslie Gabriel was named the Women’s Division I Assistant Coach of the Year. She helped the Huskies to a 20-4 record and a semifinal berth.

🚨𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆🚨

Washington Assistant Coach Leslie Gabriel has been named the 𝘼𝙑𝘾𝘼 𝙒𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣'𝙨 𝘿𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙄 𝘼𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝘾𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧.@CoachGabrielUW | @UWVolleyball pic.twitter.com/xziNIxphI6

— AVCA (@AVCAVolleyball) April 22, 2021

Lastly, Ohio State’s Emily Londot was named Women’s Division I Freshman of the Year. She’s the second Buckeye in program history to win the award, following Stacey Gordon, who won the award in 2001. Additionally, Londot was named Second Team All-American, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and unanimous First Team All-Big Ten.

🚨𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆🚨

Ohio State's Emily Londot has been named the 𝘼𝙑𝘾𝘼 𝙒𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣'𝙨 𝘿𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙄 𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧.@emilylondot | @OhioStateWVB pic.twitter.com/V1e7BTAyYR

— AVCA (@AVCAVolleyball) April 22, 2021