Sarafa, O'Brien Continue to Impress as Spring Ball Winds Down

With the spring season now complete, the Kentucky volleyball team can officially turn its attention to the start of the 2025 season that sits just four months away. And after a slate of four games against quality competition that culminated in a clash with in-state rival Louisville, there's one major question that fans and media are still left to ponder over in the offseason.

Who will be running the offense for the Cats this fall?

Well, short answer... I couldn't tell you. And to be honest with you, I'm not sure the coaching staff knows right now either. As scary as that may sound to Kentucky fans though, I promise it's not the problem you think it is. 

For eight years now, Kentucky fans have been spoiled as two of the greatest athletes in Kentucky volleyball's storied history - Madison Lilley and Emma Grome - have quarterbacked the offense to hum at one of the most efficient clips in the country. And with the space that each of those athletes occupied now empty, it's natural to wonder whether or not Craig Skinner and company have brought enough talent in to fill their shoes. But each of the Cats' two setters on the roster - redshirt sophomore Ava Sarafa and true freshman Kassie O'Brien - showed plenty of flashes this spring of becoming more than ready enough to lead Kentucky on another title hunt. 

Since she signed with Kentucky, I think the "frontrunner", if you can even label one as such, to set for the Cats in the fall was O'Brien. Between her 6'1" frame, natural athleticism, and feel for the game, many have believed - myself included - that she would be the favorite to get the starting nod come August. 

And throughout her spring campaign, the freshman showed several moments of being exactly the player many thought she was. O'Brien's connection with the middles continues to be one of her strong points, an area of the game that many freshmen struggle with well into their first seasons on campus. With the luxury of having a 6'6" middle in Lizzie Carr on the receiving end, that's a connection Kentucky will almost certainly be trying to go to with as much frequency as possible. In the Blue/White scrimmage a few weeks ago, I thought O'Brien looked excellent directing Kentucky's offense and seemed confident with her decision-making. Against the Cards in a more hostile environment, however, O'Brien seemed to rattle a bit after being given the starting nod in set one. Like previously mentioned, she still had several really impressive moments with the middles, but appeared to second-guess herself a bit more than what you'd like to see out of a setter. Keep in mind, though, O'Brien is a true freshman on campus early and is still adjusting to the speed of collegiate volleyball. To ask her to start in a spring match against the national champion runners up is a big ask. I'm confident that O'Brien will continue to improve and be more than ready to begin the season. 

But I'll be honest, I have been wildly impressed with Sarafa and believe she absolutely has a case to take over that starting setter position come August. Throughout her first two seasons on campus, Sarafa has seen limited action. Between an injury that sidelined her as a freshman and playing behind Grome last year, Sarafa's time on the court has been confined to that of a serving sub that came into the match when Skinner wanted a new look behind the service line. 

Especially in the match against Louisville, though, Sarafa looked superb directing the offense, demonstrating a feel for the game and an ability to set with tempo that I was surprised to see this early in the offseason. When she was given the starting role in the second frame against the Cards, the Cats' offense completely flipped as Kentucky coasted to a 25-20 set win. In that frame, Sarafa also recorded a pair of blocks and a service ace, demonstrating an all-around game that I'm sure a defensive-minded coach like Craig Skinner was thrilled to see. A big part of setting is having a feel of who to set the ball to and when, a skill that Lilley and Grome displayed with masterful precision. That talent was on full display from Sarafa, and I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if the coaching staff elects to begin the year with a bit of "experience" in that setting role. 

The good news for Kentucky fans is that both Sarafa and O'Brien have plenty to improve upon. In fact, each setter will likely look wildly different by the time that first match inside Memorial Coliseum rolls around. Both setters still need work setting with tempo to ensure that the pins, especially Brooklyn DeLeye and Eva Hudson, can reach their full offensive potential. But if this spring performance is any indication, I think it's safe to say that Kentucky, and as a result the Cats' offense, appears to be in very good hands.