UK All-American has off-court hobbies

What kind of interests does senior All-American Alli Stumler have when she is not playing volleyball?

“There is a lot. Giving back is number one,” Stumler said. “I try to make that a priority. UK volleyball and athletics are known around the state and country. I love giving back through community service, church.

“I also love hiking, being on the lake, enjoying nature. It’s a good way for me to release (stress).”

Teammate Azhani Tealer added one more off-court passion that Stumler failed to mention.

“Alli likes to shop now,” Tealer said.

Stumler also likes the way winning the national championship last season made Kentucky volleyball more popular on campus. She says any time she wears a Kentucky volleyball shirt students may not recognize her face or name but they are excited about volleyball in general.

“They will ask if you were on the team last year,” Stumler said. “People just love it. We have all worked to make the team known. To be recognized for what we did last year is special.”

Kentucky opened the season last weekend by sweeping three matches in the Dayton Invitational. The first home match is Friday at 7:30 p.m. EST against Iowa in the Bluegrass Battle. Prior to the match, UK will unveil its 2020 NCAA National Championship banner.

“It was a dream come true (winning the title),” coach Craig Skinner said. “For us to hang that banner is going to be very special. We will not take it for granted. We are not going to shy away from celebrating our national championship. We are proud of that result and are going to do everything we can to do it again.”