2005 Season Preview - University of Kentucky Athletics

K e n t u c k y V o l l e y b a l l
Craig Skinner, the head assistant
coach and recruiting coordinator at the University
of Nebraska, was named the University
of Kentucky's head volleyball coach on
December 17, 2004.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for my wife
and myself," Skinner said. "We're very excited to
be at the University of Kentucky. I see special
things happening here and I'm looking forward
to building a great program."
Skinner quickly brought together an
impressive staff after being hired at UK.
Together, Skinner and assistants Robert Pulliza
and Jenae Dowling claim two NCAA National
Championships, eight Final Four appearances,
11 conference titles and 19 NCAA Tournament
appearances.
“Robert (Pulliza) and Jenae (Dowling) are
great people who I trust very much,” Skinner
said. “Robert is one of the most experienced
recruiters in the country with a great mind for the
game. Jenae is a young, energetic coach who has
played at the highest level and is really excited to
be starting her coaching career at UK. We will
work hard, enjoy what we do and I think our
players, recruits and fans will feed off that.”
Skinner spent the past five seasons as an assistant
at Nebraska under John Cook and was
named head assistant coach in 2003. During his
tenure, the Huskers have put together a 154-11
record and claimed the 2000 NCAA title with a
perfect 34-0 record. The Huskers made a return
trip to the Final Four in 2001 and advanced to
NCAA regional semifinals or finals in every season
after. In Skinner’s five years, Nebraska compiled
a 97-3 record in Big 12 action and four Big
12 Championships.
"It's exciting to have someone join our program
who brings credentials like Craig," UK
Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said. "He's
had the opportunity to recruit and coach elite
athletes at the highest level of women's collegiate
volleyball. That will be a tremendous asset
for Kentucky volleyball as we continue to grow
our program."
That excitement has already become evident
after the team competed for the first time under
Skinner during the Spring 2005 season.
“This spring we laid a great foundation for
the future of our program our program,” Skinner
said. “Understanding the mentality and
concentration it takes to win championships is
critical. And getting our players to understand
that was paramount this year. Our staff hasn’t
questioned the work ethic of our returning
players - it’s fantastic.”
Skinner clearly understands what it takes to
move this program to the next level. He served as
defensive coordinator at Nebraska and worked
primarily with the middle blockers. He coached
three women to six All-America honors during his
five-year stay, including Melissa Elmer, who
Fall 2005 Kentucky Volleyball 37