Find out where the Cats rank in the 1st AVCA top 25 poll

Kentucky head coach Craig Skinner has to be pleased with the respect shown to the Cats.
Kentucky's Brooklyn DeLeye (17) celebrated a point against Cleveland State with teammate Emma Grome (4) during the NCAA Women's Volleyball Tournament at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Ky. on Dec. 5, 2024.
Kentucky's Brooklyn DeLeye (17) celebrated a point against Cleveland State with teammate Emma Grome (4) during the NCAA Women's Volleyball Tournament at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Ky. on Dec. 5, 2024. | Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Kentucky volleyball ranked No. 7, looks to extend SEC title streak to nine

The dynasty continues in Lexington. Kentucky Volleyball opens the 2025 season ranked No. 7 in the preseason Top 25, marking another milestone for a program that’s become synonymous with sustained excellence. Under Craig Skinner, the Wildcats have now won eight consecutive SEC titles—the longest active streak among all Power Four programs. The Cats have been an incredibly dominant force the last decade, in fact they may be the best program on Kentucky's campus in that time frame.

This latest ranking is no surprise to those who’ve followed Kentucky’s rise over the last decade. Skinner’s squad isn’t just dominating the conference; they’re doing it against the best in the nation. Their non-conference schedule? Brutal—in the best way. The Wildcats will face all four Final Four teams from a year ago: Nebraska, Penn State, Pittsburgh, and Louisville. They love to challenge themselves with big time programs early in the year. Even though their record may not be great come end of season, they are always battle tested. Kentucky isn't the only SEC team to crack the top 25 though.

Here’s the full preseason AVCA Top 25:

1, Nebraska (40)

2. Penn State (21)

3. Pittsburgh

4. Louisville

5. Texas

6. Stanford

7. Kentucky

8. Wisconsin

9. Texas A&M

10. SMU

11. Minnesota

12. Creighton

13. Arizona State

14. Kansas

15. Purdue

16. Florida

17. Missouri

18. UCLA

19. BYU

20. Baylor

21. USC

22. Georgia Tech

23. Utah

24. Dayton

25. TCU

Others receiving votes: Tennessee, Oregon, North Carolina, Marquette, WKU, Oklahoma, Miami, Washington, Florida State, Houston, Hawai'i, San Diego, Arkansas, Rice, Arizona, Northern Iowa.

Kentucky’s SEC dominance now includes 13 total conference titles, with the 2020 national championship banner still waving. With another top-10 team and one of the country’s most grueling schedules, the Wildcats aren’t dodging anyone. They’re hunting.