No. 2 Kentucky VB Fights Past Missouri for 3-1 Victory

No. 2 Kentucky volleyball (19-2) battled through several struggles and defensive lapses to earn a 3-1 (25-19, 18-25, 25-23, 25-20) victory over Missouri on Thursday night in Columbia. Standout performances from Eva Hudson and Brooklyn DeLeye (both named AVCA National Player of the Year semifinalists earlier in the day) helped extend the Wildcats’ winning streak to 16, keeping them perfect in the SEC at 12-0.

True freshman Kassie O’Brien’s precise setting, coupled with Lizzie Carr’s dominant blocking, set the tone for a strong start from the Cats, while Molly Tuozzo anchored the defense, keeping her team steady in transition. Despite struggles with serve receive, passing, and finding an answer for Missouri’s Caylen Alexander, Kentucky remained composed, battling through adversity.

Hudson led the way with a monster performance, posting 21 kills and 11 digs while hitting an impressive .487. DeLeye was right behind her, tallying 20 kills and nine digs, while Carr made her presence felt at the net, securing eight blocks. O’Brien once again effectively disrupted the offense with 46 assists, while Tuozzo added 16 digs to assist a gritty defensive effort. Though Kentucky struggled during major points in the match, the team’s resilience and fight carried them to a hard-earned victory.

TRINITY WARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DOWN THE STRETCH!!!!!!!!!

24-19, Kentucky | Set 4

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— Kentucky Volleyball (@KentuckyVB) November 7, 2025

Missouri started off the night strong, building an early 7-4 lead in the first set, while Kentucky struggled to find its groove. The Wildcats’ momentum shifted, though, when a huge block by O’Brien sparked a surge, helping Kentucky stop the Tigers’ consistent early scoring. Behind solid blocking, the Cats went on a 3-0 scoring run to tie the set at seven. Strong blocking helped lead Kentucky to a 3-0 run, highlighted by Carr, who contributed perfect reaction blocks and key kills. Tuozzo led the back row, controlling the ball in transition and helping the Cats limit errors effectively. Kentucky then strung together a 4-0 run to take a 14-10 lead and never looked back. After Missouri called a timeout at 23-18, the veteran DeLeye ended the set with a decisive kill to give Kentucky the 25-19 win.

The Wildcats jumped out to an early lead in the second set, fueled by Tuozzo with an impressive effort on the defensive end, delivering several strong digs. Missouri responded with a 3-0 run to take an 8-6 lead, but Carr continued to dominate at the net as she was reading the other team’s moves early. After extending their lead further to 12-9, the Tigers forced a Kentucky timeout and followed with a 4-0 run. Behind DeLeye’s difficult kills, Hudson’s strong arm from the back row, and Tuozzo adding a crucial ace, Kentucky worked to put together momentum. However, the Cats struggled to find a rhythm as Missouri held a 17-13 lead, but DeLeye and Carr continued to keep their team in it with tough kills and key blocks. After a Missouri timeout at 21-18, Tuozzo worked to keep the rally alive, but Missouri successfully challenged her dig, securing the point to end the set 25-18 in their favor.

Kentucky started stronger in the third set, leading 5-3 early before trading points to a tie at 8. Hudson led the Cats with smooth, consistent kills, tallying a double-double, while Thigpen added perfect placement kills to extend the lead. Missouri kept fighting back to tie it at 16, but DeLeye continued to silence the crowd with a huge kill, keeping Kentucky in the lead despite ongoing struggles with receiving. The Wildcats slowly found their rhythm, with DeLeye helping to force a Missouri timeout at 19-16 and to extend the lead to 21-17. Missouri came back with a 4-0 run to tie it at 22, but Hudson and DeLeye refused to give up the lead, as Hudson delivered her 15th kill to clinch the set 25-23.

Missouri jumped out to another early lead in the fourth set, going up 10-6 before Hudson delivered a huge kill to get Kentucky’s offense going. The Cats’ defense continued to fight hard to keep their team in it while playing from behind, before stringing together a 4-0 run to close the gap to 12-11. Despite still struggling with mistakes, Kentucky refused to give up, continuing to battle in a tight set filled with several ties. DeLeye remained hot, leading the Cats to a narrow lead, but Missouri wouldn’t back down, tying it again at 19. The Wildcats answered with a clutch 3-0 run, forcing a Missouri timeout, and Trinity Ward delivered a crucial ace to set up match point. Hudson secured the win for the Cats with another powerful kill, giving Kentucky a 25-20 victory and a 3-1 match win over the Tigers.

With the win, Kentucky gained momentum heading into a crucial home matchup against No. 19 Tennessee on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. ET (ESPN). After overcoming several struggles Thursday night, the Wildcats will look to clean things up on Sunday, carrying their defensive energy and offensive balance into a marquee matchup.

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