Sports
Photo by Mark Kuhlmann, NCAA Photos
LILLEY NAMED SEC FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Madison Lilley is the first-ever volleyball player to win the Roy F. Kramer SEC Female Athlete of the Year Award.
Kentucky Volleyball setter Madison Lilley ’21 was named the 2020-2021 Roy F. Kramer Southeastern Conference Female Athlete of the Year. She is the first-ever volleyball player to win the award in the history of the SEC. Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who won the Heisman Trophy at Alabama, was named the male winner of the award. “We are proud to honor DeVonta and Madison, who not only excelled in the SEC but were also recognized as the best in their sport across the country. They are the ultimate examples of what it means to be a student-athlete in the Southeastern Conference,” said SEC Commissioner Greg
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K E N TUCKY A LU MN I MAG A ZIN E Fall 2021
Sankey. “DeVonta and Madison both were members of national championship teams and recipients of their sport’s national player of the year award. Each has competed at the highest level of collegiate athletics, benefitted from the world-class support provided by their universities and, through their hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence, have reached the pinnacle of collegiate athletic success. Congratulations to DeVonta and Madison and thank you for being part of the SEC.” Lilley becomes just the second female student-athlete from Kentucky to win the award, joining Jenny Hansen in 1995. She is the eighth athlete from UK to win the award (AJ Reed, 2014; Anthony Davis, 2012; Tim Couch, 1999; Jenny Hansen, 1995; Jamal Mashburn, 1993; Kyle Macy, 1980; Jack Givens, 1978). Lilley, who was named the SEC Player of the Year this season, in addition to winning AVCA National Player of the Year honors and capturing the 2020-2021 Honda Award for volleyball. She was one of the key pieces to Kentucky’s first NCAA national championship win over Texas, logging 53 assists and a career-high 19 digs in the title match. “Given the number of incredible athletes in our league, to be elected SEC Female Athlete of the Year is an elite honor,” UK Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart said. “What made Madison so special is that she is worthy of being chosen from both an individual and a team perspective. Individually, her record-setting performance on the court speaks for itself. In addition, the way she led her team — with unyielding commitment to make her teammates their very best and her indomitable will to win — makes her deserving of this distinction.” Lilley was one of four finalists for the 2021 ESPY Award in the category of Female College Athlete of the Year. “I’m proud of what Madison has achieved as an athlete. It’s truly incredible what she’s accomplished,” UK head coach Craig Skinner said. “What I’m even more proud of is her vision that she set forth for herself and the team. She set out a path to win a national championship and she followed through with it like the champion she is.” Exceptional in the classroom, as well, Lilley graduated from Kentucky in the spring with a degree in Integrated Strategic Communications. She was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team and is a First Team CoSIDA Academic All-American. ■
