Kentucky Volleyball Excited for Notre Dame Transfer

Coach Craig Skinner believes Morgan Gaerte can make a big impact for the Wildcats.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Kentucky volleyball coach Craig Skinner is excited about the addition of Notre Dame transfer Morgan Gaerte, a 6-foot-5 outside hitter who was a first-team all-ACC selection last season. Skinner believes Gaerte's ability to terminate points and her overall skill set will make her a valuable asset for the Wildcats, who reached the national title game in 2025.

Why it matters

Kentucky lost several key players to the transfer portal this offseason, so adding a talented player like Gaerte, who averaged over 4.6 kills per set at Notre Dame, will be crucial for the Wildcats as they look to build on their success and compete for another national championship appearance.

The details

Gaerte, who hails from Angola, Indiana, was the No. 5 ranked player in her 2023 recruiting class by Volleyball Magazine. She started 28 matches for Notre Dame last season and had 497 kills, the most by a Notre Dame player in the rally-scoring era and the third most ever by a Notre Dame player. Skinner is excited to see how Gaerte's game develops further once she gets immersed in Kentucky's training and strength program.

  • Gaerte will have two years of eligibility remaining at Kentucky.

The players

Craig Skinner

The head coach of the Kentucky volleyball team, which reached the national title game in 2025.

Morgan Gaerte

A 6-foot-5 outside hitter who transferred from Notre Dame to Kentucky and was a first-team all-ACC selection last season.

Lloy Ball

Gaerte's club coach, who is a four-time Olympian and 2008 gold medalist. Skinner has known Ball since college and trusts his instincts about players.

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What they’re saying

“We're trying to be really good, so it's time consuming and he knows that is what she's wants., You put a lot of faith in your people and then people that you know around the volleyball world when you are deciding about who to bring into your program.”

— Craig Skinner, Head Coach, Kentucky Volleyball (yoursportsedge.com)

“Excited for Morgan and what she currently can do, but I think more importantly what she will be able to do once she gets immersed in our training and our strength program. She's an incredible point scorer.”

— Craig Skinner, Head Coach, Kentucky Volleyball (yoursportsedge.com)

What’s next

Gaerte will join the Kentucky volleyball team for the 2026 season and look to make an immediate impact as the Wildcats aim to return to the national title game.

The takeaway

Kentucky's addition of Notre Dame transfer Morgan Gaerte, a talented outside hitter, is a key move for the Wildcats as they look to build on their recent success and compete for another national championship appearance. Skinner is confident Gaerte's skills and potential will make her a valuable asset for Kentucky's program.