Cats Have What It Takes To Win Volleyball National Title

Libero Molly Tuozzo and UK have the ingredients necessary to win a national title. (Sofia Yaker/SEC Photo)

By LARRY VAUGHT

Former Florida volleyball coach Mary Wise had 1,068 career wins when she retired after the 2024 season, and her Gators once dominated the Southeastern Conference for an extended period, which Kentucky coach Craig Skinner has matched by winning or sharing nine straight SEC titles.

She thought the NCAA Tournament selection committee got it right, seeding Texas, Kentucky, Texas, and Pittsburgh 1-4 overall in the tourney that starts Tuesday. She also thinks Kentucky will be a tough out for anyone after going unbeaten in conference play and then coming from two sets down to beat Texas in the SEC Tournament title match.

Wise said the one-two punch of hitters Eva Hudson and Brooklyn DeLeye creates havoc for most UK opponents to try to defend.

“What makes it so difficult is the set from the back row is the same tempo. You don’t get a break,” said Wise, now an ESPN analyst. “One of them is coming at you, whether front row or back row. That makes it really hard for wing blockers to help block.”

ESPN analyst Courtney Lyle said it was “absolutely crazy” how solid UK’s 1-2 punch is.

“This duo has more kills per set than any other duo in the nation,” Lyle said.

Another ESPN analyst, Holly McPeak, said there has been more parity nationally than ever this season, with 194 reserve sweeps, the most ever. However, No. 1 Nebraska is 30-0 and has dropped only seven sets all season. Two of those dropped sets were against Kentucky when the Cornhuskers needed a reverse sweep to win.

Wise said four keys to reaching the Final Four are:

— Having a legitimate national player of the year candidate. Kentucky has two in Hudson and DeLeye.

— Outside hitters who can terminate out of the system. Kentucky’s versatility takes care of that.

— Team blocking presence, which UK has definitely developed.

— Be healthy and UK is as healthy as any team can be at this point of the season.

Kentucky opens NCAA play in Memorial Coliseum at 7 p.m. Thursday, hosting Wofford (17-13, a team making its third straight NCAA appearance. The first game in Lexington, Thursday at 4, will feature Georgia Tech (16-13), one of the final four teams in the field, against UCLA (18-12).

Thursday’s winners will play in the second round on Friday at 7 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum.

“Kentucky players shined under the brightest lights against Texas,” ESPN analyst Shelby Coppedge said. “For Kentucky, it has to have a lot of confidence going into the tournament. It reversed swept the No. 3 team in the nation. That shows Kentucky is playing really good.”

Wise said it can still come down to matchups in tourney play.

“Some teams you match up well against and some you don’t,” Wise said. “We all have our weaknesses. You just hope your opponent can’t take advantage of them. Kentucky and Texas are both really good teams. They both have things you cannot win without. You have to have big-time scorers on the pins and they both certainly have that. They both could win (the title).”