(Hunter Mitchell Photo)
On Thursday Kentucky All-American hitter Brooklyn DeLeye said she was sure no one other than UK players, coaches and some fans believed UK could beat No. 1 Nebraska at the Broadway Block Party inside Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville.
The Cornhuskers were a Final Four team last season and a trendy pick to win another national title this year.
However, DeLeye and the Cats had Nebraska on the ropes after winning the first two sets 26-24 and 25-20 when they trailed in each set. However, Nebraska got the reverse sweep by winning the next three sets 25-19, 25-23 and 15-8 to get the win over No. 7 Kentucky
Hitters Eva Hudson and DeLeye controlled the first two sets. DeLeye finished with a match-high 23 kills on 68 swings along with six digs and two assists. Hudson, a Purdue transfer, had 19 kills on 65 attempts along with eight digs, two blocks and one assist.
Kentucky hit .168 as a team and Nebraska hit .221. The Nebraska defense held UK to a negative percentage in the fifth set.
Redshirt sophomore setter Ava Sarafa had 43 assists in her first start against a top five team along with 10 digs, six blocks, two service aces and two kills.
Kentucky coach Craig Skinner told ABC-TV sideline reporter Madison Kirkpatrick that Sarafa was “just getting her feet wet” in the big-time environment early in the match.
“It was her first time to set a match against a top five team. She is a great player and when she gets her rhythm it is hard to know where she is going (with the ball),” Skinner said midway through the match.
ABC/ESPN analyst Katie George, a former Louisville All-American, noted that UK had a “stacked team” and Skinner used 11 players in the first set to back up his claim that the team’s depth would be one of its best strengths this year.
“I think Kentucky is better than No. 7. I like the mentality. Even when they are down (score-wise), they come right back. They don’t seem panicked. They are relying on two very experienced players. They have weapons,” George said during the match. “There is a lot to like about Craig Skinner’s group. I am really excited to watch them.”
Kentucky (1-1) will need weapons with the schedule Skinner put together. Kentucky will play a No. 2 Penn State Friday at 8 p.m. ET on FOX National. The Cats also play Pittsburgh and Louisville, both Final Four teams last year and ranked No. 3 and No. 4 this season, along with No. 5 Texas.
