Top-seeded Kentucky overcame a rocky start before rallying to knock off Wisconsin in a five-set thriller Thursday night in the Final Four of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.
Eva Hudson had 29 kills to lead Kentucky, which won a title 2020, in the second semifinal on Friday. The Wildcats came back to force a fifth set and prevailed, 12-25, 25-22, 21-25, 26-24, 15-13, in an instant classic.
"I had to swing away," Hudson said of leading her team to victory. "I was not going down not swinging. I was going to give it my all."
Kentucky's defensive pressure had three-seed Wisconsin frustrated for the first time in the fifth set. The Wildcats went on an 8-1 run to take an 8-2 lead. Wisconsin responded with a 8-4 run to come within two points, 12-10. Kentucky was ahead 14-13 and took the set and match on Hudson’s kill that went off the hands of Wisconsin’s blockers at the net.
The victory sends Kentucky (30-2) against fellow SEC foe Texas A&M in Sunday’s national championship match at 3:30 p.m. on ABC. The Wildcats won the national championship in 2020. It will be the first finals appearance for the Aggies.
No. 3 seed Texas A&M swept No. 1 seed Pitt, 29-27, 25-21, 25-20, in the first semifinal. The Aggies’ Kyndal Stowers had 16 kills on .433 hitting, while Logan Lednicky had 14 kills on .323 hitting.
Kentucky and Texas A&M met once on Oct. 8 with UK winning 3-1.
The Panthers (30-5) saw their season end in the Final Four semifinals for the fifth consecutive season. It was the first time this season that Pitt has been swept.
One of Pitt’s victories was a sweep over Kentucky on Sept. 10. It was the last time the Wildcats suffered defeat. They have won 27 consecutive matches going into the national championship game.
“The way they play it, and the heart that they show is immeasurable,” said UK coach Craig Skinner in the post-match press conference. “And I keep telling them, they’re transformational leaders in the way to go about it, in what they’ve done for the sport, especially in Kentucky, but not only there, around the country.”
Watch Party Sunday at Memorial Coliseum
UK will play host to Lexington Watch Party on Sunday inside Historic Memorial Coliseum with no admission.
Kentucky will play Texas A&M in the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. ABC will broadcast the match, which will be shown live on the HMC videoboard.
Admission is free, and doors will open at 1:30 p.m. CT.
First serve is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT.
Concessions will be available throughout the event.
Kentucky's volleyball team is returning to the national championship on Sunday against fellow SEC member Texas A&M. The Wildcats defeated Wisconsin in a five-set thriller in Thursday's semifinal. Texas A&M swept Pittsburgh in the other semifinal. (UK Athletics photo)
