Having one strong outside hitter is advantageous in a sport where momentum can shift in a single rally, but having two is a nightmare for opponents.
No other attacking duo in the NCAA can match the offensive firepower that Brooklyn DeLeye and Eva Hudson bring to the court. With a total of 791 kills between them, they are the most dangerous duo in college volleyball this season.
Hudson and DeLeye both rank in the top 15 in all of NCAA in kills per game with DeLeye at No. 11 and Hudson at No. 15, they are the only teammates ranked within the top 50 in this category.
DeLeye has risen to prominence in her career. Defenses are forced to remain truthful by her ability to hit quickly from anywhere on the court. She is effective, in addition to being a high-volume scorer. DeLeye consistently applies pressure, whether she is tooling the block, hammering cross-court swings or dropping balls into open space with grace.
Conversely, Hudson is the epitome of explosiveness. She sets the tone for every match with her powerful style of play. Her ability to elevate in big moments especially in tight sets and high-stakes matches makes her one of the most clutch players in the country.
Their mutual complementarity is what truly sets them apart. Defenders are forced to spread the block by DeLeye, and any hesitation is penalized by Hudson. DeLeye takes advantage of the gaps created by Hudson’s strong blocking attention.
“Yeah, she’s just an amazing teammate, and we kind of just go off of each other, like she talked about,” Hudson said. “But it’s really hard for teams against us, because I feel like across the whole board, we’re versatile in everything that we’re doing, like either us or just our middles and right sides. Like you never know who we’re going to set, and if we set any of those people, you know they’re going to get a kill in that moment.”
When combined, they exert pressure on defenses, manage pace and produce matchup issues that are difficult for even the most formidable defensive units to overcome.
Kentucky has six top 25 wins, with four coming from the top 10. The duo has led Kentucky to third in the NCAA in kills per set, DeLeye and Hudson have proved they’re a duo who won’t be stopped.
“No, it’s amazing being able to have these pressure situations, and knowing that she can put a ball away, and she has my back and I have her back, so I think it really takes the pressure off of us in these big moments,” DeLeye said. “Because, I mean, she can swing away and then all come front row.”
No team has a duo as balanced, reliable and formidable as DeLeye and Hudson, thanks to their raw athleticism, volleyball IQ, and competitive spirit. Although other programs might have a standout hitter, they do more than just score, they rule.
Additionally, DeLeye and Hudson led their team to No. 2 in the country and Kentucky’s ninth-consecutive SEC Championship.
Following their perfect season in SEC play, the dynamic duo of Brooklyn DeLeye and Eva Hudson are the NCAA’s most formidable offensive force this season.
