WEBVTT - No Green Ribbons with Craig Skinner and Brooklyn DeLeye 0:00:01.000 --> 0:00:02.760 Welcome to a Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we 0:00:02.800 --> 0:00:05.800 apologize to Tabitha Shawingo for getting her name wrong during 0:00:05.840 --> 0:00:10.879 Malawi's Wafcon run Tabitha not Tabitha. Instead of dropping a 0:00:10.880 --> 0:00:13.720 given twenty, We're instead going to link to Tabitha's insane 0:00:13.920 --> 0:00:17.720 worldy during Wafcon from none other than The Slice magazine on. 0:00:17.720 --> 0:00:19.239 Insta Go check it out. 0:00:19.800 --> 0:00:22.480 It's Thursday, August twenty eighth, and on today's show, Kentucky 0:00:22.560 --> 0:00:26.000 Volleyball head coach Craig Skinner and senior outside hitter Brooklyn 0:00:26.040 --> 0:00:28.120 Delay join us ahead of the first serve. 0:00:27.960 --> 0:00:29.560 Of the season in just a few days. 0:00:29.920 --> 0:00:32.440 We discuss why saying no can be more important than 0:00:32.479 --> 0:00:35.560 saying yes, the off court skills Brooklyn is looking to 0:00:35.640 --> 0:00:39.360 hone this season, the correct pronunciation of volleyball's back row 0:00:39.479 --> 0:00:41.760 defensive specialist, and where to sit. 0:00:41.720 --> 0:00:43.200 It a game if you want to learn more about 0:00:43.240 --> 0:00:43.680 the sport. 0:00:44.320 --> 0:00:48.559 Plus, these stars are golden who could possibly fill the spot, 0:00:48.840 --> 0:00:51.919 and the latest edition of Sports and Gayshit It's all 0:00:51.920 --> 0:00:59.800 coming up right after this Welcome Back Slices. Here's what 0:00:59.800 --> 0:01:04.320 two need to know today. A lot of WNBA news 0:01:04.319 --> 0:01:07.200 to catch up on, starting with a Big Story. Eleven 0:01:07.280 --> 0:01:11.320 time All Star and WNBA Champion Neca Ogumakay is retiring 0:01:11.600 --> 0:01:14.759 after the twenty twenty sixth season. The Los Angeles Sparkstar 0:01:14.800 --> 0:01:17.440 announced the news in an interview with Boardroom's Taylor Brooks 0:01:17.480 --> 0:01:20.319 published on Wednesday. The number one overall pick in the 0:01:20.319 --> 0:01:23.280 twenty twelve WNBA draft, Ogumakay retires as one of the 0:01:23.280 --> 0:01:26.640 most respected voices in the game on and off the court. 0:01:26.920 --> 0:01:29.160 Her career includes winning twenty twelve Rookie of the Year, 0:01:29.160 --> 0:01:33.960 twenty sixteen WNBAMVP, eight All WNBA Selections, seven All Defensive 0:01:34.000 --> 0:01:36.919 Team Selections, recognition as a member of the w twenty 0:01:36.920 --> 0:01:39.639 five honoring the twenty five greatest players in league history 0:01:39.680 --> 0:01:43.399 at the WS twenty fifth anniversary, and WNBA Champion. 0:01:43.640 --> 0:01:45.839 She led the Sparks to the twenty sixteen title. 0:01:46.400 --> 0:01:49.880 Ogumakay also helped lead the WNBPA through the recent eighteen 0:01:49.920 --> 0:01:53.520 months CBA negotiations and was recently elected to a fourth 0:01:53.640 --> 0:01:56.480 term as the player's union president. She told Rooks that 0:01:56.560 --> 0:01:59.760 those CBA negotiations were in part responsible for her to 0:01:59.760 --> 0:02:02.560 say to hang them up. They were grueling for one 0:02:03.040 --> 0:02:05.280 and the hardest part, she said, was quote having to 0:02:05.320 --> 0:02:07.600 fight for people who would probably not fight for you 0:02:07.720 --> 0:02:08.320 at times. 0:02:08.800 --> 0:02:09.280 End quote. 0:02:09.560 --> 0:02:12.239 But they were also a massive achievement, and it left 0:02:12.280 --> 0:02:15.240 oguma Kay thinking in training camp this year quote, I 0:02:15.280 --> 0:02:17.520 feel like I've done it. The thirty five year old 0:02:17.560 --> 0:02:19.720 Augumakay spent the first twelve years of her career with 0:02:19.760 --> 0:02:21.760 the Sparks and did a two year stint with the 0:02:21.800 --> 0:02:24.680 Storm before returning to finish her career in LA. She'll 0:02:24.680 --> 0:02:28.799 retire as the franchise's all time leader in scoring, field goals, made, steals, 0:02:28.880 --> 0:02:32.919 and double doubles, and even in this fifteenth season, she's elite, 0:02:33.080 --> 0:02:36.040 averaging sixteen point eight points in eight point eight rebounds 0:02:36.040 --> 0:02:39.000 per game while shooting almost fifty one percent from the field. 0:02:39.360 --> 0:02:41.760 So she could of course keep playing, but she said 0:02:41.760 --> 0:02:44.160 in a statement quote, I've learned there's power in knowing 0:02:44.160 --> 0:02:46.920 when to walk away. For so long, that strength meant 0:02:46.960 --> 0:02:50.200 finding a way to keep pushing. Now it means recognizing 0:02:50.240 --> 0:02:53.280 when you feel complete. I find myself grateful, fulfilled, and 0:02:53.320 --> 0:02:55.640 at peace with everything this game has given me and 0:02:55.680 --> 0:02:57.000 everything I've poured into it. 0:02:57.280 --> 0:02:59.639 End quote. The former WNBA MVP. 0:03:00.000 --> 0:03:02.200 This isn't done playing yet, though she was the first 0:03:02.200 --> 0:03:05.959 player publicly announced as playing with Project B, an international 0:03:06.000 --> 0:03:09.480 league expected to tip off in Europe and Asia in November. 0:03:08.919 --> 0:03:10.959 And she is expected to keep that commitment. 0:03:11.680 --> 0:03:14.480 As for what happens next when it comes to the WNBPA, 0:03:15.000 --> 0:03:17.720 sources tell the Nines Jackie Powell that Oguma Kai will 0:03:17.720 --> 0:03:20.760 remain president until the next election, which will take place 0:03:20.800 --> 0:03:23.119 prior to the end of the twenty twenty six calendar year. 0:03:23.600 --> 0:03:25.920 We'll keep you posted as more details come out, and 0:03:25.960 --> 0:03:28.079 we'll link to the boardroom story in the show notes 0:03:28.919 --> 0:03:31.800 more hoops and some depressing news out of the w 0:03:32.320 --> 0:03:35.200 On Wednesday, the Dallas Wings announced that rookie guard Azy 0:03:35.280 --> 0:03:38.080 Fud will undergo a knee procedure and miss the remainder 0:03:38.120 --> 0:03:40.760 of the twenty twenty sixth season. Friend of the Show 0:03:40.840 --> 0:03:43.760 and this year's number one overall draft pick. She'll undergo 0:03:43.800 --> 0:03:47.400 an arthroscopic procedure in Connecticut next week to address ongoing 0:03:47.440 --> 0:03:51.240 soreness in her right knee, then she'll begin rehab immediately afterward. 0:03:51.400 --> 0:03:54.960 Bud last played August fifth, against the Washington Mystics. In 0:03:55.000 --> 0:03:57.960 thirty games this season, she averaged just over thirteen points, 0:03:58.000 --> 0:04:00.960 one point seven rebounds, one point six, one point seven 0:04:01.000 --> 0:04:04.160 steals and just under a block per game. Her steals 0:04:04.160 --> 0:04:06.760 average led all rookies, while she ranked second among rookies 0:04:06.760 --> 0:04:09.360 and blocks and third in scoring. A highlight of her 0:04:09.360 --> 0:04:12.000 season was becoming the first rookie ever to win the 0:04:12.080 --> 0:04:15.800 WNBA three Point Contest. The Wings announced they'll provide additional 0:04:15.840 --> 0:04:18.719 updates following the procedure when appropriate, and we will, of 0:04:18.760 --> 0:04:20.239 course let you know when we have more info. 0:04:20.480 --> 0:04:24.320 We're sending our best to Asy for fast healing more hoops. 0:04:24.560 --> 0:04:26.719 On Monday Night, the Golden State Balkyrise beat the Dallas 0:04:26.760 --> 0:04:29.080 Wing seventy eight to seventy to clinch a playoff spot, 0:04:29.160 --> 0:04:32.080 becoming the first expansion team in league history to earn 0:04:32.120 --> 0:04:34.680 a postseason berth in each of its first two seasons. 0:04:34.960 --> 0:04:37.240 Friend at the Show Veronica Burton had sixteen points and 0:04:37.279 --> 0:04:39.720 five assists in that one, saying after the game, quote, 0:04:39.760 --> 0:04:41.840 there's such a level of joy that we have together. 0:04:42.000 --> 0:04:43.800 You make it to the playoffs, and that means you've 0:04:43.839 --> 0:04:46.400 succeeded because you accomplished the goal. But to do it 0:04:46.440 --> 0:04:48.480 in this way, and you do it with these kinds 0:04:48.480 --> 0:04:50.480 of people, it just means that much more. 0:04:50.800 --> 0:04:51.279 End quote. 0:04:52.080 --> 0:04:54.839 Other Friend of the Show Gabby Williams had another way 0:04:54.839 --> 0:04:55.840 of putting it. 0:04:55.920 --> 0:04:59.800 We please like buttcheck. Maybe we clinched like butt cheeks. 0:05:00.279 --> 0:05:01.719 Crazy crazy. 0:05:02.240 --> 0:05:04.800 The Valkyries have nine games left on their schedule and 0:05:04.839 --> 0:05:07.560 a chance at a top two seed. And while we're 0:05:07.560 --> 0:05:11.360 talking Bay Area, another Valx postseason run isn't all w 0:05:11.520 --> 0:05:13.560 fans on the left coasts have to be excited about. 0:05:13.760 --> 0:05:16.160 The league also announced Tuesday that the twenty twenty seven 0:05:16.240 --> 0:05:19.080 All Star Game is headed to SF next summer. The 0:05:19.120 --> 0:05:21.400 All Star Game will take place July thirty first at 0:05:21.440 --> 0:05:23.960 the Chase Center. While the Bay Area did not get 0:05:24.000 --> 0:05:27.120 selected as Good Games Personal epicenter of women's sports, it 0:05:27.240 --> 0:05:30.119 was a top contender and it's undeniable that the city 0:05:30.200 --> 0:05:33.800 is teaming with women's sports fans, energy and investment. I'm 0:05:33.839 --> 0:05:37.000 already excited for what will inevitably be another four days 0:05:37.000 --> 0:05:39.920 of Knowsley, and I'm wondering how many times I can 0:05:39.960 --> 0:05:42.599 shoehorn mentions of the Bay Area Bebs team. I'm part 0:05:42.600 --> 0:05:45.360 owner of the San Francisco Signal into a weekend that's 0:05:45.360 --> 0:05:51.279 sustensibly about hoops. More basketball in Chicago, where my Chicago 0:05:51.360 --> 0:05:53.680 Sky showed out in one of their best performances of 0:05:53.720 --> 0:05:56.359 the season Tuesday night, beating the New York Liberty ninety 0:05:56.360 --> 0:05:59.680 three eighty six skygard Natasha Cloud had a banner game, 0:05:59.720 --> 0:06:02.760 scoreing a career high thirty five points with nine rebounds 0:06:02.760 --> 0:06:05.520 and six assists. So good to see Tash thriving after 0:06:05.600 --> 0:06:07.960 struggling to find a home during the off season. 0:06:08.040 --> 0:06:10.840 And doing it for my team. Cherry on top. 0:06:11.160 --> 0:06:13.679 Branda Stewart still made her mark in the Libs losing effort, 0:06:13.760 --> 0:06:16.119 leading her team with twenty two points, including her three 0:06:16.160 --> 0:06:19.160 thousandth point as a member of the Liberty franchise. She's 0:06:19.200 --> 0:06:21.800 the fastest player in w history to score three thousand 0:06:21.800 --> 0:06:24.520 points with a single franchise, reaching the mark in her 0:06:24.520 --> 0:06:25.360 one hundred. 0:06:25.160 --> 0:06:27.279 Forty fifth game the Liberties. 0:06:27.360 --> 0:06:29.839 Junk Will Jones suffered an apparent ankle injury in the 0:06:29.839 --> 0:06:32.360 first quarter of that game and didn't return. Will keep 0:06:32.360 --> 0:06:34.600 you updated on her status when we get more info. 0:06:35.400 --> 0:06:38.120 More hoops in three games on the schedule tonight at 0:06:38.120 --> 0:06:40.599 eight pm Eastern in the Indiana Fever play the Dallas Wings, 0:06:40.800 --> 0:06:43.240 followed by two tip offs at ten pm Eastern, the 0:06:43.279 --> 0:06:45.960 Atlanta Dream taken on the La Sparks and the Connecticut 0:06:46.000 --> 0:06:48.479 Son facing the Las Vegas Aces. We'll link to the 0:06:48.480 --> 0:06:52.479 full weekend schedule in the show notes. To tennis, Serena 0:06:52.520 --> 0:06:55.080 and Venus Williams lost their opening round doubles match at 0:06:55.080 --> 0:06:58.200 the Cincinnati Open Monday night, falling to Marta Costuc and 0:06:58.240 --> 0:07:03.279 Peyton Sterns six six eight. The Williams sisters almost recovered 0:07:03.279 --> 0:07:05.359 from a six to zero deficit in the match tiebreaker 0:07:05.400 --> 0:07:08.200 before a double fault from Venus ended their day. Said 0:07:08.279 --> 0:07:10.440 Venus after the match, quote, it's our first time playing 0:07:10.480 --> 0:07:11.360 together in forever. 0:07:11.720 --> 0:07:13.280 It was great for us to get out there and 0:07:13.320 --> 0:07:13.600 do it. 0:07:13.960 --> 0:07:17.000 Serena agreed, saying quote, winning is obviously great, but in 0:07:17.040 --> 0:07:20.200 this position, just you know, having fun. It was really 0:07:20.240 --> 0:07:22.840 cool to be able to do this again. Over on 0:07:22.880 --> 0:07:25.400 the single side of the tournament, the quarterfinals take place 0:07:25.440 --> 0:07:28.080 today as the athletes make their way toward the final 0:07:28.120 --> 0:07:30.400 match on Sunday. We'll link to the schedule in the 0:07:30.400 --> 0:07:34.080 show notes. More tennis, Serena and Venus may be out 0:07:34.120 --> 0:07:37.240 in Sinci, but another opportunity is just around the corner. 0:07:37.440 --> 0:07:40.679 The US Open starts later this month, and organizers announced 0:07:40.680 --> 0:07:43.760 Tuesday that Venus Williams is getting a singles wildcard for 0:07:43.800 --> 0:07:47.240 the tournament. Organizers also said, there's still one more singles 0:07:47.280 --> 0:07:50.480 main draw wildcard to be announced, and we can't help 0:07:50.480 --> 0:07:53.000 but wonder if it might go to Sister Serena. We'll 0:07:53.080 --> 0:07:56.240 keep you posted with any news on that front. Speaking 0:07:56.320 --> 0:07:58.960 of the US Open, world number three Jessica Pagoula told 0:07:58.960 --> 0:08:01.720 Front Office Sports this week the top players are waiting 0:08:01.720 --> 0:08:04.080 on the US Open to announce this year's prize perse 0:08:04.280 --> 0:08:07.520 before deciding whether or not they'll protest. As a reminder, 0:08:07.560 --> 0:08:09.880 the world's top tennis players have been speaking out with 0:08:10.000 --> 0:08:12.920 concerns over their share of revenue from major tournaments and 0:08:13.000 --> 0:08:15.520 protesting by limiting their media availability. 0:08:15.840 --> 0:08:17.000 Pagoula said the US. 0:08:16.880 --> 0:08:19.120 Open has been willing to hear their concerns and seems 0:08:19.160 --> 0:08:21.840 open to making changes, but you'll ultimately wait to see 0:08:21.840 --> 0:08:25.120 how far they go. To baseball, we're now about halfway 0:08:25.120 --> 0:08:28.200 through the wpbl's inaugural season, and as of this recording, 0:08:28.240 --> 0:08:30.320 the San Francisco Fire Bells sit at the top of 0:08:30.320 --> 0:08:33.720 the league standings, followed by the La Queens, the Boston Hunters, 0:08:33.760 --> 0:08:36.400 and the New York Heights. We're recording this before Wednesday 0:08:36.440 --> 0:08:38.800 Night's game between New York and SF, so make sure 0:08:38.800 --> 0:08:41.680 to catch the highlights from that one. They'll almost certainly 0:08:41.720 --> 0:08:44.120 include some home runs from either the fire Bells Kelsey 0:08:44.160 --> 0:08:48.560 Whitmore or the Heights Done Benitez aka Danita Benita. Those 0:08:48.559 --> 0:08:52.120 two have been raking plenty more games starting tonight through 0:08:52.120 --> 0:08:52.560 the weekend. 0:08:52.679 --> 0:08:54.240 Will put the schedule in the show notes. 0:08:55.040 --> 0:08:57.800 Finally, to the track friend of the show and track goat, 0:08:57.920 --> 0:09:01.120 Alison Felix, will release her memoir in March of next year, 0:09:01.360 --> 0:09:05.559 titled Fast and Slow Discovering Strength Beyond Speed. Twenty twenty 0:09:05.559 --> 0:09:07.679 seven will be a busy year for the eleven time 0:09:07.720 --> 0:09:10.559 Olympic medalist. She announced in April she's ending her four 0:09:10.640 --> 0:09:13.920 year retirement and returning to competition. The ultimate goal is 0:09:13.920 --> 0:09:16.199 to compete in her hometown of la at the twenty 0:09:16.240 --> 0:09:18.200 twenty eight Games. 0:09:19.559 --> 0:09:20.079 Slices. 0:09:20.120 --> 0:09:22.160 It's been a minute since we did some gay shit, 0:09:22.440 --> 0:09:25.280 so let's do a quick sports and gayshit update. First, 0:09:25.400 --> 0:09:29.040 walking and gay shit. Spanish athlete Maria Perez made history 0:09:29.080 --> 0:09:30.920 over the weekend with a new world record in the 0:09:30.920 --> 0:09:34.360 women's half marathon racewalk, crossing the finish line in one hour, 0:09:34.440 --> 0:09:37.640 thirty minutes and six seconds, which yes, is a sub 0:09:37.720 --> 0:09:38.640 seven minute mile. 0:09:39.080 --> 0:09:39.880 It was the first time. 0:09:39.920 --> 0:09:43.400 The event was contested at the European Athletics Championships, and 0:09:43.440 --> 0:09:46.080 Perez took the opportunity to break the second world record 0:09:46.080 --> 0:09:49.600 of her career. Tbh, there wasn't anything particularly gay about 0:09:49.640 --> 0:09:50.360 how she did. 0:09:50.160 --> 0:09:52.440 It, But she's gay and she was racewalking. 0:09:52.520 --> 0:09:56.600 So racewalking and gayshit, let's take it up, not with 0:09:56.800 --> 0:10:00.880 running and gayshit again. Running is an inherent gay and 0:10:00.920 --> 0:10:03.320 a run club also not necessarily gay. 0:10:03.559 --> 0:10:05.720 But the stud Buds are gay as hell. 0:10:06.000 --> 0:10:08.920 And when a bud starts a run club aka Natisha 0:10:08.960 --> 0:10:12.840 Heideman's run Buds, that's running in gay shit, y'all. The 0:10:12.920 --> 0:10:15.800 run bud stated goal is quote bringing communities and people 0:10:15.840 --> 0:10:19.240 together one mile at a time. And Tuesday's second meeting, 0:10:19.440 --> 0:10:22.800 just the second meeting, saw over four hundred people join 0:10:22.880 --> 0:10:25.160 Tea Spoon for a two point eight three mile jaunt 0:10:25.200 --> 0:10:26.720 around Green Lake in Seattle. 0:10:27.480 --> 0:10:29.040 So gay, so great. 0:10:29.920 --> 0:10:32.920 Speaking of gay hoopers, some hoops and gayshit news thanks 0:10:32.920 --> 0:10:35.440 to Slice Colin Jones, who passed along an edition of 0:10:35.480 --> 0:10:39.160 the email newsletter charting hoops devoted to a new advanced 0:10:39.160 --> 0:10:44.040 stat for measuring teammate chemistry vander Quiggs, invented by the 0:10:44.040 --> 0:10:47.960 newsletter's author, Chris Gunther vander Quiggs, he writes, is value 0:10:47.960 --> 0:10:53.760 and efficiency remaining after quantifying individual girlfriend's stats, named, of course, 0:10:53.800 --> 0:10:56.560 after married couple and former Sky teammates Courtney vander Slut 0:10:56.600 --> 0:11:00.000 and Ali Quigley. Quote for ease of calculation, will measure 0:11:00.280 --> 0:11:04.240 value with points, efficiency with effective field goal percentage, and 0:11:04.480 --> 0:11:07.199 remaining after will be defined as the amount of given 0:11:07.200 --> 0:11:09.760 player stats increase when they play on the same team 0:11:09.760 --> 0:11:10.880 as their significant other. 0:11:11.240 --> 0:11:11.880 End quote. 0:11:12.280 --> 0:11:14.079 To find out how he came up with a vander 0:11:14.200 --> 0:11:17.120 Quigg score of three point seven x for Ali and 0:11:17.200 --> 0:11:19.679 one point three x for Courtney, and to see how 0:11:19.720 --> 0:11:22.680 other couples like Diana Tarassi and Penny Taylor, Gabby Williams 0:11:22.679 --> 0:11:25.920 and Marine Johannes fair with and against each other, check 0:11:25.920 --> 0:11:29.080 out the newsletter. We'll put the link in the show notes. Finally, 0:11:29.480 --> 0:11:32.280 mascots and gayshit and I know what you're thinking. How 0:11:32.280 --> 0:11:34.240 can we know whether a mascot is gay if we 0:11:34.280 --> 0:11:37.360 don't know their mascot partner. Fair question, But I don't 0:11:37.440 --> 0:11:40.120 need to see who does is dating to know that 0:11:40.120 --> 0:11:43.520 that tortoise is gay as hell. On Tuesday, the Toronto 0:11:43.520 --> 0:11:47.280 Tempo introduced not One but two mascots, a fresh play 0:11:47.280 --> 0:11:49.720 on the old tortoise and the hair fast and slow 0:11:50.080 --> 0:11:54.040 like a tempo There's Dot, the Arctic hare and does 0:11:54.120 --> 0:11:55.000 the snapping turtle. 0:11:55.280 --> 0:11:57.760 According to the team quote, Dot she. 0:11:57.920 --> 0:12:00.840 Her is an Arctic hair name for two Rono's longtime 0:12:00.920 --> 0:12:04.120 nickname t Dot, originally from the Arctic Circle. She brings 0:12:04.120 --> 0:12:07.839 seemingly endless energy, acrobatics, and enthusiasm to everything she does, 0:12:08.120 --> 0:12:10.920 making her the undisputed hype woman of the pair. A 0:12:11.000 --> 0:12:14.640 gemini whose hobbies can best be described as hops and hype, 0:12:14.920 --> 0:12:18.679 Dot loves cotton, candy, drive to survive, and any opportunity 0:12:18.679 --> 0:12:21.880 to get the crowd on its feet. Des she They 0:12:22.480 --> 0:12:26.360 is a Borealis blue snapping turtle from Muskoga, Ontario. Their 0:12:26.440 --> 0:12:29.040 name is inspired by decibel, a nod to their love 0:12:29.040 --> 0:12:31.280 of music and role as the more measured half of 0:12:31.320 --> 0:12:34.480 the duo. Des is calm, clever, and always thinking a 0:12:34.520 --> 0:12:37.400 few steps ahead. A tourist who spins the ones and 0:12:37.440 --> 0:12:40.520 twos in their spare time. DES's secret talent is snapping. 0:12:40.920 --> 0:12:43.800 They also have a particular fondness for soft shell tacos. 0:12:44.280 --> 0:12:44.880 End quote. 0:12:45.080 --> 0:12:49.880 Are they special friends wink wink or just friends? 0:12:50.760 --> 0:12:53.440 That's not yet clear. What we do know is one of. 0:12:53.400 --> 0:12:56.319 The tempo's mascots is non binary butch and we are 0:12:56.480 --> 0:13:00.000 so here for it. As producer Bianca said, finally putting 0:13:00.120 --> 0:13:03.040 the mask in mascot, I too have to wonder what 0:13:03.120 --> 0:13:05.920 Sophie Cunningham thinks of Dez. The Temple were playing the 0:13:05.920 --> 0:13:08.800 Indiana Fever Tuesday night when their mascots were revealed. 0:13:09.880 --> 0:13:12.320 We got to take a quick break. Vibes and Bros. 0:13:12.400 --> 0:13:14.680 With Brooklyn and Coach Skinner is coming up in just 0:13:14.720 --> 0:13:15.160 a second. 0:13:23.520 --> 0:13:26.840 Welcome back Slices. One thing before we get to today's interview. 0:13:27.080 --> 0:13:29.720 You'll hear that I ask Brooklyn about her future Vib's 0:13:29.760 --> 0:13:31.160 career as a senior. 0:13:31.240 --> 0:13:33.040 I thought she was certainly graduating and. 0:13:33.000 --> 0:13:35.280 Headed to the pros, but after we stop recording, she 0:13:35.320 --> 0:13:37.599 pointed out that she still has one year of eligibility 0:13:37.679 --> 0:13:40.599 left to claim if she wants to. That's because the 0:13:40.679 --> 0:13:44.079 NCAA eligibility rules are changing this year. The new rules 0:13:44.080 --> 0:13:46.120 are based on the age of the student athlete when 0:13:46.120 --> 0:13:49.439 they enroll full time in college. The NCAA's website states, 0:13:49.520 --> 0:13:52.839 quote student athletes who meete all eligibility requirements and enter 0:13:52.920 --> 0:13:55.760 college no later than the academic year after their nineteenth 0:13:55.840 --> 0:13:59.600 birthday generally will have up to five years of eligibility. 0:14:00.080 --> 0:14:03.320 The previous rules included several elements that required more tracking 0:14:03.360 --> 0:14:07.360 for student athletes and their schools, including athletic redshirts, delayed enrollment, 0:14:07.440 --> 0:14:11.520 slash organized competition, and other sports specific rules, seasons of competition, 0:14:11.720 --> 0:14:15.480 and waiver opportunities. The new age based rules replace those 0:14:15.559 --> 0:14:18.200 variables with one consistent eligibility period. 0:14:18.520 --> 0:14:19.080 End quote. 0:14:19.320 --> 0:14:22.160 If you're confused, like i am, we put a link 0:14:22.200 --> 0:14:24.840 in the show notes to the NCAA's more detailed explanation, 0:14:25.200 --> 0:14:28.040 plus an ESPN story breaking down the new model and 0:14:28.160 --> 0:14:30.440 the story that just came out on Tuesday that actually 0:14:30.480 --> 0:14:32.400 has us wondering if this rule will indeed be put 0:14:32.400 --> 0:14:34.600 into place, or if the nc DOUBLEA will succeed in 0:14:34.640 --> 0:14:38.000 delaying or blocking the decision. We'll keep you updated in 0:14:38.040 --> 0:14:39.800 the future as to how this could shake things up 0:14:39.840 --> 0:14:43.760 across a bunch of different sports. Either way, we'll be 0:14:43.800 --> 0:14:46.040 watching Brooklyn play no matter where. 0:14:45.800 --> 0:14:49.280 She goes or stays. Here's my chat with Brooklyn and 0:14:49.320 --> 0:14:53.120 Craig joining us now. 0:14:53.160 --> 0:14:55.760 He's the head coach of the University of Kentucky Women's volleyball, 0:14:55.800 --> 0:14:58.600 the winning is coach in Kentucky volleyball history. He led 0:14:58.680 --> 0:15:02.320 Kentucky to their first ever Volleyball National Championship in twenty 0:15:02.320 --> 0:15:03.920 twenty and brought them back. 0:15:03.720 --> 0:15:05.040 To the Natty last season. 0:15:05.360 --> 0:15:08.800 Previous coaching stops include Nebraska and his alma mater, Ball State, 0:15:08.840 --> 0:15:11.360 where he played his college Vibs. He'll go to great 0:15:11.400 --> 0:15:13.520 lengths to promote his team's games, like up in the 0:15:13.640 --> 0:15:16.400 rafters of Rupp Arena and off the highest high dive 0:15:16.480 --> 0:15:17.120 kind of links. 0:15:17.120 --> 0:15:18.160 It's Craig Skinner. 0:15:18.240 --> 0:15:21.160 Hi, Craig, how you doing, Sarah? Thanks for having a song. 0:15:21.520 --> 0:15:23.800 Yeah, thanks for coming on also with us. 0:15:23.840 --> 0:15:26.640 She's a senior outside hitter for the Kentucky women's volleyball team. 0:15:26.720 --> 0:15:29.120 Junior year, she was first team All SEC and an 0:15:29.160 --> 0:15:30.240 AVCA First. 0:15:30.040 --> 0:15:30.840 Team All American. 0:15:31.080 --> 0:15:33.280 Sophomore year, she led the Wildcats to their first Elite 0:15:33.320 --> 0:15:35.600 eight berth and four years, earning SEC Player of the Year, 0:15:35.600 --> 0:15:37.920 First Team All American, and finalist for National Player of 0:15:37.920 --> 0:15:40.800 the Year following a freshman campaign in which she claimed 0:15:40.840 --> 0:15:43.920 the SEC Freshman of the Year title. A Topeka, Kansas 0:15:43.960 --> 0:15:46.120 native and former two time Gatorade Player of the Year 0:15:46.120 --> 0:15:48.400 in high school, she loves Mexican food and going to Italy, 0:15:48.600 --> 0:15:51.440 and she got engaged last month to her baseball playing boyfriend. 0:15:51.480 --> 0:15:56.120 It's Brooklyn La. Hi, Brooklyn Hi, thanks for joining us. 0:15:56.200 --> 0:15:57.400 Congrats on the engagement. 0:15:57.800 --> 0:15:58.880 Thank you, thank you. 0:15:59.080 --> 0:16:00.240 I'm glad to be here. 0:16:00.520 --> 0:16:04.360 As an old person, I suggest a long runway before 0:16:04.400 --> 0:16:05.040 you get married. 0:16:05.160 --> 0:16:06.960 Just give it some time and enjoy life. 0:16:07.040 --> 0:16:08.800 No one needs to be married while they're in college. 0:16:08.800 --> 0:16:11.000 But that also might just be coming from an old 0:16:11.040 --> 0:16:12.000 lady who got married late. 0:16:12.240 --> 0:16:13.440 Thank you so much for joining us. 0:16:13.440 --> 0:16:16.000 So excited to talk ahead at the start of the season, Coach, 0:16:16.040 --> 0:16:18.960 I was reading up on Kentucky before you arrived, and 0:16:19.000 --> 0:16:20.920 in the five years before you got there, the team 0:16:21.000 --> 0:16:24.440 didn't post a winning season, hadn't made the NCAA tournament 0:16:24.520 --> 0:16:27.840 since nineteen ninety three. And now you've led the Wildcats 0:16:27.880 --> 0:16:31.440 to sixteen straight NCAA tournaments, posting twenty or more wins 0:16:31.480 --> 0:16:34.160 in twelve of the last fourteen seasons. What were the 0:16:34.200 --> 0:16:37.320 most meaningful changes that you brought to Kentucky volleyball. 0:16:37.520 --> 0:16:39.320 I think just a belief factor that I think I 0:16:39.360 --> 0:16:41.400 wanted our players to know that I believed in them 0:16:41.440 --> 0:16:45.000 and that we had a winning culture. Even though it 0:16:45.080 --> 0:16:49.760 wasn't there, and winning culture doesn't always mean wins and losses. 0:16:49.840 --> 0:16:51.760 But I think getting people to believe in themselves and 0:16:51.760 --> 0:16:53.680 believe in each other and believe in a system is 0:16:53.720 --> 0:16:57.200 really important. So I think that was number one. And expectations. 0:16:57.320 --> 0:16:59.440 The expectation is to compete to win. It's not just 0:16:59.480 --> 0:17:02.160 a particip you know, Green ribbons were given out a 0:17:02.200 --> 0:17:03.880 long time ago when you were five at the swim 0:17:03.920 --> 0:17:07.679 meet and unfortunately no Green ribbons and NA division on. 0:17:07.760 --> 0:17:09.760 Volleyball, Brooklyn. 0:17:09.800 --> 0:17:12.400 What did you hear about coach Skinner and the program 0:17:12.560 --> 0:17:14.480 or what did you learn while being recruited that made 0:17:14.520 --> 0:17:15.760 you want to choose Kentucky? 0:17:16.240 --> 0:17:18.639 Yeah, you know, just like the person that he is, 0:17:18.840 --> 0:17:21.880 he truly values you more as a person than as 0:17:21.880 --> 0:17:24.720 a player, and just really cares about the culture like 0:17:24.800 --> 0:17:27.480 you kind of just mentioned. So that was just honestly 0:17:27.480 --> 0:17:31.040 a non negotiable for me. So after hearing that, and 0:17:31.119 --> 0:17:33.880 like talking to former players, it was really no other 0:17:33.880 --> 0:17:35.000 place I'd rather play at. 0:17:35.160 --> 0:17:37.640 Not too bad to go somewhere that had very recently 0:17:37.720 --> 0:17:38.520 won it all too? 0:17:39.320 --> 0:17:42.080 Yes? Was it was it the worst thing in the world. 0:17:42.119 --> 0:17:44.040 Yeah, Coach Kinner had to put in a couple of 0:17:44.080 --> 0:17:46.280 years of work before you got to show up and 0:17:46.320 --> 0:17:48.040 be like, yeah, this is the place, this is the 0:17:48.080 --> 0:17:51.160 place to be. Speaking of coach, a great season last year, 0:17:51.200 --> 0:17:53.879 another run to the NCAA title game. What are some 0:17:53.920 --> 0:17:56.719 of the biggest roster changes to note from last season 0:17:56.840 --> 0:17:57.440 to this year. 0:17:57.680 --> 0:18:00.600 Certainly, Morgan Gardy coming to us from Notre Dame is a, 0:18:00.800 --> 0:18:02.560 you know, a big addition on the floor and point 0:18:02.600 --> 0:18:06.959 scoring ability and proven player. Obviously, a junior in college 0:18:07.000 --> 0:18:09.679 is typically more ready for this level of competition than 0:18:09.680 --> 0:18:12.560 a freshman, so certainly a big addition for us. And 0:18:12.600 --> 0:18:15.960 then you know the freshman you know Sidney Burley, the 0:18:15.960 --> 0:18:20.040 Grayson Sailors, and you know Bellamy Abuse and Briah Brow. 0:18:20.160 --> 0:18:24.080 I mean, they're just great athletes, great kids, and you know, 0:18:24.200 --> 0:18:26.159 like always, I try and recruit who we are, not 0:18:26.200 --> 0:18:28.520 who we want, and they're who we are, and that's 0:18:28.560 --> 0:18:29.520 super important to us. 0:18:29.600 --> 0:18:32.000 How do you balance the idea that when you make 0:18:32.080 --> 0:18:34.480 it to a title game there are going to be 0:18:34.480 --> 0:18:36.760 a lot of interested folks from other programs who want 0:18:36.800 --> 0:18:38.520 to come over and be a part of what you're doing, 0:18:38.920 --> 0:18:41.480 versus wanting to reward those that were already on the 0:18:41.560 --> 0:18:43.639 roster that helped you get there last year and are 0:18:43.680 --> 0:18:46.240