Eva Hudson transferred to Kentucky with one year of eligibility remaining. During her lone season with the Wildcats, Hudson emerged as one of the best players in the country, earning First Team All-American honors.

Entering the NCAA Tournament, Hudson understood that her college career could end at any moment.

Kentucky got off to a slow start in the Final Four match against No. 3 seed Wisconsin dropping the first set 25-12. It is rare for Hudson not to be the best player on the court, but in the opening set she struggled.

All-American Mimi Colyer dominated early, recording seven kills on eight attempts and adding two digs as the Badgers controlled the set. Hudson finished set one with just three kills on a .222 hitting percentage, well below her season average, and did not record any other statistics.

“I just think we came out a little timid, not knowing what to do in the first set.” Hudson said.

In set two, Hudson refused to let Kentucky fall into a 2-0 hole. She took control, recording six kills while contributing to four of the Wildcats’ final five points with either a kill or a block. Along with her six kills, Hudson added four digs and two blocks. After a slow start and with her career on the line, no one was going to stop her from giving everything she had.

“I wasn’t going to go out not swinging,” Hudson said.

Kentucky struggled again in set three, allowing Colyer to tally 10 kills in the set alone, as Wisconsin claimed a 25-21 win.

Facing elimination, Hudson found her rhythm in set four. One more lost set would have ended her collegiate career, but with the pressure at its highest, she delivered nine kills on a .615 hitting percentage to lead Kentucky to win the set and even the match at 2-2.

“Slowly, we found our rhythm in the second and third. By the fourth and fifth, we found that rhythm,” Hudson said.

Set five was win-or-go-home, and Kentucky leaned heavily on its star. Hudson recorded six kills in the deciding set, including a crucial kill to open the set. With Wisconsin serving to tie the set at 14, Hudson delivered again, sealing the set and ending the match with a kill to send Kentucky to the national championship.

After the biggest performance of her career, Hudson was at a loss for words.

“I can’t even have tears in this moment cause I don’t even know what’s going on, but I’m so happy to do it with this group,” Hudson said.

With her career on the line, Hudson’s performance propelled Kentucky to the national championship match, where the Wildcats will face fellow SEC opponent No. 3 seed Texas A&M on Sunday at 3:30 ET.