Kentucky Volleyball Advances to Final Four with Dominant Win Over Creighton
Kentucky volleyball (29-2, 15-0 SEC) has secured its spot in the Final Four of the NCAA tournament following a commanding sweep of Creighton (28-6, 16-0 Big East). In front of a sellout crowd, the Wildcats delivered a performance reminiscent of their 2020-21 championship squad, marking their first Final Four appearance since that title-winning season.
A Championship-Caliber Team
This year’s Kentucky team is shaping up to be a championship contender. Despite dropping two of their first five games, the Wildcats have since strung together an incredible 26 consecutive wins. While this dominant streak might suggest a season free of adversity, Kentucky has faced and overcome significant challenges along the way.
The Wildcats have pulled off two remarkable reverse sweeps this season—an impressive feat rarely seen in volleyball. Their last recorded reverse sweep dates back to Sept. 1, 2018, against the Kansas Jayhawks. However, in this recent matchup against Creighton, Kentucky maintained control throughout, never trailing by more than two points.
Coach Craig Skinner praised his team’s tenacity after the win: “We asked our team to be relentless and we were relentless all evening, and you can’t thank our players for giving themselves to this team and this program enough.”
Standout Performances Fuel the Sweep
Relentlessness has been the hallmark of Kentucky’s stars Eva Hudson and Brooklyn DeLaye all season, and they did not disappoint in this crucial game. The duo combined for 32 of the team’s 47 kills, paving the way for a decisive victory and a trip to the Final Four.
Road Trip to Kansas City Awaits
Kentucky will now head to Kansas City to complete the remainder of the tournament. Notably, all of Kentucky’s previous tournament matchups have taken place in Lexington. The Wildcats boast an undefeated home record this season, but impressively, they remain undefeated in away games as well. Their only two losses came at neutral-site events.
The Question Remains
Kentucky is clearly on a path toward a championship, but the challenge intensifies in Kansas City against elite competition and a potentially hostile crowd.
Their next opponent, the formidable Wisconsin Badgers, advanced after a strong 3-1 victory over Texas. Wisconsin showcased offensive firepower with three players recording double-digit kills, including Mimi Colyer’s standout performance of 23 kills in a crucial road win.
Kentucky’s defense, which weathered intense rallies in their Elite Eight matchup, will be vital in fending off Wisconsin’s attack.
Looking Ahead
Both teams are fiercely motivated to extend their seasons, but only one will earn the right to advance to the championship match.
Don’t miss the highly anticipated Final Four showdown on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 9 p.m. ET. The game will be held at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City and streamed live on ESPN.
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