No. 6 Kentucky Volleyball Tops No. 3 Louisville for First Time Since 2019
No. 6 Kentucky volleyball made a statement at the KFC Yum! Center on Thursday night, taking down in-state rival No. 3 Louisville in a wild five-set match. Down 2-1 heading into the fourth set (21-25, 25-21, 24-26), the Wildcats dominated the final two sets 25-12 and 15-7. Thursday’s victory marked the Cats’ first win over the Cardinals since 2019.
Sophomore outside hitter Brooklyn DeLeye once again led the way with a season-high 24 kills and 14 digs, powering Kentucky’s offense when it mattered most. Eva Hudson delivered a standout all-around performance with 21 kills and 21 digs after a slow start. Kassie O’Brien came through for the Cats when it was needed the most, tallying 30 assists.
Libero Molly Tuozzo kept Louisville’s attacks alive, posting 18 digs. Meanwhile, middle blocker Lizzie Carr added 10 crucial kills that gave Kentucky the edge in tight rallies. With the win, UK is now 3-2 against top 10 opponents this season.
The Wildcats held Louisville to a .072 hitting percentage while forcing 34 errors, showcasing a standout defensive effort against the No. 3 team in the nation. Kentucky’s offense delivered an efficient and well-rounded performance, highlighting its roster’s depth.
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Louisville came out hot, taking sets one and three with confidence. Just when it seemed the Cats couldn’t overcome the Cards’ presence at the net, DeLeye ignited a monster surge. Kentucky swept the last two sets 25-12 and 15-7. Key runs from Hudson, Carr, and DeLeye helped Kentucky find its rhythm.
With the rivalry win, Kentucky improves to 6-2 on the season. By securing another top-10 victory and reclaiming the Battle of the Bluegrass trophy, the Cats prove they are a force to be reckoned with heading into SEC play. UK’s final non-conference match is Saturday against Washington inside Memorial Coliseum (1:00 p.m. ET | SEC Network+).
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