Kentucky VB Falls to No. 7 Pittsburgh In Hard-Fought Sweep

Kentucky volleyball came up short at the Shriners Children’s Showdown at the Net in Fort Worth, Texas, on Wednesday night, falling in three sets to No. 7 Pittsburgh 3-0 (25-19, 25-22,25-23).

Coming off two sweeps in Happy Valley, the No.3-ranked Wildcats were on a roll going into the highly anticipated top-10 matchup, but had trouble keeping their rhythm against the determined Pitt squad. Despite the loss, the Cats celebrated Brooklyn DeLeye, who reached 1,000 career kills as a junior.

🤩BK1K🤩#WeAreUK x #BBN pic.twitter.com/xljWTfWzzc

— Kentucky Volleyball (@KentuckyVB) September 10, 2025

Kentucky kept it close early on through DeLeye and Eva Hudson’s strong swings, but the Panthers maintained control with disciplined defense and sharp serves, taking the opening set 25-19.

The Wildcats opened the second set with more urgency, putting together some early runs. However, unforced errors coupled with Pittsburgh’s down-the-stretch energy carried the Panthers to a 25-22 win.

Kentucky gave it everything they had in the third, with Hudson’s reliable offense keeping the Cats within reach. Despite DeLeye’s major blocks and kills, Pittsburgh’s effort on the defensive end was too much for the Wildcats, closing out the set 25-23 and the match in straight sets.

Despite the loss, Kentucky’s performance highlighted the team’s resilience, even when fighting to close the gap. The back row stayed composed under pressure, while the front line showed spirits of greatness. Wednesday night’s bright spot was DeLeye reaching her 1,000th career kill, further showcasing why she is one of college volleyball’s elite players.

The Wildcats are now 3-2 on the season and look to bounce back before facing Houston and No. 10 SMU at home this weekend in a doubleheader. The Cats’ matchup against the Panthers was an eye-opening test against a top-10 opponent, revealing areas for improvement as they continue to develop their young roster.