No. 7 Kentucky volleyball is gearing up to be in full swing with its first two matches of the 2025 season on the road this weekend.
The Cats will kick off their weekend in Nashville on Saturday with a match against Lipscomb, followed by the first-ever Broadway Block Party at Bridgestone Arena against No. 1 Nebraska.
The Wildcats are evidently not shying away from a tough 2025 non-conference schedule, kicking off the season against the top-ranked Cornhuskers. They will also face off against the remaining final four teams from the 2024 NCAA women’s volleyball tournament: Louisville, Penn State and Pittsburgh.
The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) released the 2025 preseason rankings, placing Nebraska at No. 1, Penn State at No. 2, Louisville at No. 4 and Kentucky at No. 7.
Amidst the official start to the season, Kentucky’s Brooklyn DeLeye and Eva Hudson were both placed on the AVCA 2025 Player of the Year Watch List.
DeLeye is the reigning Southeastern Conference Player of the Year and AVCA Southeast Region Player of the Year.
Hudson – a transfer from Purdue University – is recognized as one of the top hitters in the country from her 2024 season, where she led the Big Ten and was fifth in the nation with 567 total kills. She was also 10th in the nation in kills per set – one spot behind DeLeye.
Additionally preceding the season, the Wildcats were picked by the 16 Southeastern Conference head coaches to win the league in the annual preseason poll. Additionally, four Wildcats landed spots on the All-SEC preseason team.
Kentucky’s Brook Bultema, Molly Tuozzo, DeLeye and Hudson were the four Cats placed on the All-SEC preseason team – the most of any team in the conference.
The 2025 season is looking to be an exciting one for the Wildcats, who are looking to bring home their ninth straight SEC championship, along with a second national title.
Last season, Kentucky volleyball went 23-8 overall and 14-2 in conference play. In its last face-off against Nebraska, the Wildcats fell 3-1 in the AVCA First Serve Showcase in Louisville.
Kentucky’s match against Lipscomb will be at 3 p.m. EST on Saturday, Aug. 30, and its match against Nebraska will be at 12 p.m. EST on Sunday, Aug. 31.
