Kentucky's Volleyball team has made headlines by placing a nation-high four players on the AVCA National Player of the Year Watch List for 2026. This marks the team's quest for a 10th consecutive Southeastern Conference championship and another shot at the NCAA Volleyball Final Four. Brooklyn DeLeye, Morgan Gaerte, Kassie O’Brien, and Molly Tuozzo are recognized among the nation's best, with DeLeye earning a spot for the third consecutive year. Notably, Tuozzo is one of only two liberos featured on this prestigious list.

By the Numbers
  • Four Kentucky players are on the AVCA National Player of the Year Watch List, the highest of any team.
  • The Southeastern Conference had eight players total make the 30-player list.
State of Play
  • The watch list is a precursor to further evaluations throughout the season, including midseason updates in October.
  • The finalists will likely be announced on December 14, with the Player of the Year revealed on December 18.
What's Next

As the season progresses, more players could be added or removed from the watch list, highlighting ongoing performance and achievements within NCAA volleyball competitions. Kentucky aims to leverage these recognitions to fuel their championship ambitions.

Bottom Line

Kentucky's strong representation on the AVCA National Player of the Year Watch List underscores their prominence in collegiate volleyball and could be a pivotal factor in their pursuit of both the SEC title and a successful NCAA tournament run.