The Kentucky volleyball team is gearing up for a highly anticipated regional final on Saturday, where junior Molly Berezowitz will face off against her former rivals, the Creighton Blue Jays. Berezowitz, who made the transfer from Marquette to Kentucky this season, has firsthand experience with the Blue Jays, having encountered them five times during her college career.
Recalling her matches against Creighton, Berezowitz noted, “When I was at Marquette, they were our biggest rivals, so we played them last year like three times. I kind of wanted to play them because obviously it’s different this year. They have a good offense and a lot of experience. I think it’s going to be a challenging game.”
Berezowitz is well aware of Creighton’s seasoned lineup. “I feel like those girls have been there forever. 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,” she added.
Kentucky’s head coach, Craig Skinner, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that Creighton provides more than just star players 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,” he commented. Skinner emphasized the team’s balance, mentioning crucial players like setter Jaya Johnson and Eloise Brandewie, who previously played for Ohio State. He remarked on their competitive maturity and readiness. “They’re not going to give us a whole lot of points,” he explained.
Sophomore middle blocker Kennedy Washington is confident that the team has a solid strategy in place to secure a victory. “Just playing to our standard, spreading the offense, and really defending,” she stated. Washington recognized the team’s impressive performance against Cal Poly during their last match, particularly noting their blocking efforts that kept the opposition’s star players from achieving high hitting percentages.
Berezowitz underscored the importance of teamwork for overcoming a formidable opponent like Creighton. “Using all 14 players, we’re going to need everyone tomorrow. I think it’s important to just treat it like every other game we’ve played,” she noted, indicating a focus on collaborative effort.
Skinner pointed out that serving would be a critical element in their upcoming match. “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,” he remarked. “We’re going to have to find the right spots to hit in the right rotations.”
As the match between these two talented teams approaches, anticipation builds. The stakes are high, with the victor set to advance to next week’s Final Four in Kansas City, promising an exciting showdown for fans and players alike.
