Cats Receive Verbal Commitment from Class of 2027 OH Soniya Reynolds

The Cats' success on the recruiting trail doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon, as Craig Skinner and company received yet another verbal commitment to the Class of 2027 Monday as outside hitter Soniya Reynolds announced her commitment to play for the Cats in Lexington. 

Hailing from Cypress, Texas, Reynolds has spent much of her career playing in the middle but has since transitioned to the left pin to play as an outside. And while many middles don't have much experience in the back row and may struggle with the transition to having to defend, Reynolds appears to have a natural gift in the back row. 

"She's such a smooth passer for only really passing for the past year," said one talent scout to VBAdrenaline. "Excited about where her potential in the back row could go."

According to Houston Juniors Recruiting Coordinator Kara Pratt, Reynolds touches well above 10' at the net and her physicality and athleticism will be an invaluable asset to the Cats on the pin. Reynolds flew under the radar on the recruiting trail until late, largely because of the delayed transition to the outside within the last year, and even received late offers from several SEC and ACC schools to visit camp. It was Skinner and company that ultimately won her over, though, and according to several anonymous sources - including VB Adrenaline Scouting Director Darren Tipton - if she keeps working at it, Reynolds has the potential to take a career path similar to that of Avery Skinner, another former Kentucky legend. 

Skinner's journey at Kentucky wasn't a linear one, as she found herself playing alongside, and at times behind, the likes of Leah Edmond and Alli Stumler. However, as she continued to improve and mature, Skinner became one of the best outside hitters in the country, eventually helping lead Kentucky to the program's first National Title during her senior year. While Reynolds may be a little "behind the curve" as far as where pin hitters traditionally are at this point in their careers, it appears that she's handled the move to the pin seamlessly thus far. And if her volleyball instincts are as good as they sound, it would be fair to assume that by the time she steps foot on campus in the fall of 2027, she'll be more than ready to compete for a starting spot on the Cats' roster.