When the Kentucky volleyball team takes the floor in Saturday’s regional final (5 p.m. ET, ESPN2), UK junior Molly Berezowitz will see some familiar faces across the net.
Berezowitz, who transferred to Kentucky this season from Marquette, has faced Creighton five times during her college career and knows the Blue Jays well.
“When I was at (Marquette), they were our biggest rivals, so we played them last year like three times,” Berezowitz said. “So, I kind of wanted to play them because obviously it’s different this year. They have a good offense and they have a lot of experience. I think it’s going to be a challenging game.”
Berezowitz knows that Creighton is a very experienced team.
“I feel like those girls have been there forever,” Berezowitz said. “I’ve played them like three years in a row. I think they have a lot of competitive maturity and I know we do as well. They’re a really good team, they’re always fun to play and they’re nice girls.”
UK head coach Craig Skinner knows that Creighton is much more than just stars Ava Martin and Kiara Reinhardt.
“Looking forward to playing Creighton. Obviously, a team that’s had a lot of success this year and presents lots of challenges with their offense and the way they play,” Skinner said. “It’s going to be exciting. Very balanced team. Everyone talks about Ava Martin and Reinhardt but with (Jaya) Johnson behind the setter and (Eloise) Brandewie, who played at Ohio State. They have a group that is very experienced, very mature in the way they compete. They’re not going to give us a whole lot of points.”
UK sophomore middle blocker Kennedy Washington believes that she and the team have a formula for success on Saturday.
“Just playing to our standard, spreading the offense and really defending,” Washington said. “Last night, we did a really good job of blocking and holding their star players to a lower hitting percentage.”
Berezowitz knows that it will take a team effort to beat a talented team like Creighton.
“Just using all 14 players, and we’re going to need everyone tomorrow,” Berezowitz said. “I think it’s important to just treat it like every other game we’ve played.”
Skinner believes that serving will be crucial on Saturday. How important is it?
“Very. It was very important last night against Cal Poly and then, because of the diversity that Creighton throws at you with their offense, it will be important again,” Skinner said. “We’re going to have to find the right spots to hit in the right rotations.”
Saturday’s match between two talented teams should be fun to watch. And the winner will advance to next week’s Final Four in Kansas City.
