Kennedy Washington loves 'everything' about British volleyball – Harlan Enterprises

Middle blocker Kennedy Washington didn't have a typical path to becoming a member of the Kentucky volleyball team.

She was a two-time state champion at Texas, recording 324 kills and 130 blocks as a junior, and 137 kills and a .329 batting average as a senior. She verbally committed to attend San Diego in February of her junior year, but she later changed her mind because “she didn't consider some factors.”

“After retiring, I worked on working on myself as a player. I had to learn patience. I wasn't talking to people (college coaches),” she said. “I was growing and trying to get better on and off the court.”

She eventually started sending highlights to college coaches, and UK coach Craig Skinner got in touch. She visited Lexington and “fell in love with everything” about UK and the volleyball program.

“I got (phone) numbers from some of the girls and started talking to them on social media apps. I was texting some of them every day,” Washington said. “I sat down with Craig to discuss my future at Kentucky, and he pitched the school to me.”

She likes the way Skinner develops players for the next level and also understands that she will likely play behind players who eventually go pro.

“I knew he was going to push me to the limit. I felt very close to him and he was very easy to talk to,” Washington said.

She had no contact with Kentucky and then stopped recruiting altogether and restarted it.

“It was tough. My club and high school coaches helped me. They reached out to Craig. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here right now,” Washington said.

Washington says he's “not a jumpy type of player,” but more of a fixed player.

“I love to cheer up my teammates, but not in a violent way. Even when situations are tough and my teammates are like that, I try to stay calm. Even if we're winning by a big margin. , I play like I'm losing,'' she said.

She liked that Skinner joked and had fun. She liked that he had former players on his staff who wanted to come back and work for him. But what she really liked was her team's winning attitude.

“They really want to win the SEC and it shows in how hard they work and what they do outside of practice time alone and together to get better,” Washington said. .

Washington will accompany the team to Japan from May 19th to May 29th, where they will play five exhibition matches. The team will tour Tokyo, visiting the Shinkansen, Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, Kyoto, Golden Bamboo Grove, Seiden, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Shibuya, and Asakusa.

“I don't want to say I was interested in Kentucky because I was able to go to Japan, but it's definitely a huge benefit. I've always wanted to travel to Asia, so to be able to do that and bond with the team at the same time,” he said. “I was able to deepen my understanding,” she said. “I love the Japanese national team. They're very smart. It's going to be great to start.”

Washington considers herself a “mature” person, which she hopes will ease her transition to full-time college.

“I've always been very independent. My parents taught me not to depend on others. I get up on my own to go to school. I put out my own clothes. I learned how to ride a bike and… “I taught myself how to tie my shoelaces,” she said. “I'm very stubborn and stand up for what's right.

“Craig is the type of coach I want to play for. He doesn't bring anything to the surface, but he knows how to push you and make you better. That's why I want to play at Kentucky.”