The Kentucky volleyball team dropped set one to Tennessee on Monday night in the Southeastern Conference Tournament. However, as they did in the regular season, the Cats rallied to win the final three sets to win the match.
Monday’s win was truly a team effort. Of course, UK got huge production from its stars, Brooklyn DeLeye and Eva Hudson, but several other players made huge contributions as well. DeLeye knew that Tennessee would bring its best game, and they did.
“We knew they were going to come out hard,” DeLeye told the SEC Network following the match. “It’s a big rivalry match and it was a fun day of volleyball. I think we just needed to match their energy and I think we did that going into the third and fourth sets.”
Libero Molly Tuozzo was seemingly everywhere on the court. The junior recorded a career-high 25 digs in the match to go with eight assists. DeLeye spoke about Tuozzo after the match.
“Oh my gosh, you can just trust her with everything,” DeLeye said. “She is so good and she’s overlooked. I think she’s the best libero in the country and she showed it tonight.”
Tuozzo credited her positive mindset when asked about her outstanding play on Monday.
“I think just the mindset of not wanting any ball to drop on the floor,” Tuozzo said. “I have that (mindset) every ball and I think really just showing out for my team every point.”
For the Cats, defense is important. UK had 70 digs and nine total blocks in the match on Monday. Tuozzo knows that defense is a point of emphasis.
“We’re huge on defense, honestly,” Tuozzo said. “Serve receive defense is a massive thing for us and I think it clearly showed tonight.”
Of course, DeLeye and Hudson were outstanding, as usual. DeLeye had 22 kills, hit .370, had 10 digs and an ace. After a slow start, Hudson finished with 18 kills, four digs and three block assists.
It wasn’t just the stars getting it done on Monday. Freshman setter Kassie O’Brien had 46 of those to go with eight digs and three block assists. Lizzie Carr had nine kills, hit .364 and had five block assists. Brooke Bultema came off the bench to record three kills while hitting .600 and adding two block assists. Jordyn Dailey also came off the bench and provided a spark with four kills, two digs and two block assists. Molly Berezowitz had 13 digs for the Cats.
Kentucky advances to the SEC Tournament championship game on Tuesday where they will face the winner of Monday’s Texas-Texas A&M match. Having a team effort like they did on Monday could allow the Cats to bring the trophy home.
