LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky Volleyball team placed a nation-best four players on the 2026 American Volleyball Coaches Association National Player of the Year Watch List, the AVCA announced Thursday.

Brooklyn DeLeye, Morgan Gaerte, Kassie O'Brien and Molly Tuozzo were all named to the initial list of 30 players as the Wildcats prepare for a season focused on winning a 10th consecutive Southeastern Conference championship and returning to the NCAA Volleyball Final Four.

Kentucky's four selections represent the most of any Division I program, surpassing Nebraska and Purdue, which each placed three players on the preseason watch list. DeLeye makes her third consecutive appearance on the watch list as a preseason finalist, while Gaerte, O'Brien and Tuozzo are making their inaugural appearances.

DeLeye, a senior outside hitter from Auburn, Kansas, was named the SEC Player of the Year in 2024 and earned AVCA First Team All-America honors in 2025. She is a three-time All-SEC selection who has established herself as one of the nation's most decorated hitters.

Gaerte, a junior opposite hitter, transferred to Kentucky from Notre Dame this offseason. She earned First Team All-ACC honors in 2025 after averaging 4.64 kills per set with the Fighting Irish. O'Brien returns for her sophomore season after being named the 2025 AVCA National Freshman of the Year while also earning AVCA Second Team All-America recognition and First Team All-SEC honors as a setter.

Tuozzo, a senior libero from The Woodlands, Texas, was named the 2025 SEC Tournament MVP and earned AVCA Third Team All-America honors. She is one of only two liberos on the watch list, joining Iowa State's Rachel Van Gorp. The Wildcats had five players total named to the Preseason All-SEC Team this week, the most of any conference program.

The AVCA said players can be added to and removed from the National Player of the Year Watch List as the season progresses. The process will include midseason additions in October, semifinalists announced in November and finalists revealed likely on December 14. The Player of the Year will be announced at the AVCA Awards Banquet in San Antonio on December 18.