Wildcats Dominate Creighton to Secure Final Four Berth
In a commanding performance that defied expectations, the No. 1 Kentucky Wildcats swept No. 3 Creighton 3-0 (25-19, 25-13, 25-18) to advance to the NCAA Volleyball Final Four. While head coach Craig Skinner had cautioned against anticipating large scoring runs against a formidable opponent like the Bluejays, his team delivered precisely that, especially in a dominant second set.
“We’re a really good volleyball team,” Skinner stated after the match, reflecting on his team’s ability to punch their ticket to the Final Four. “And everybody can play defense. And we play the game clean at a very high level, not just talent, but the effort and way we play as a group and team really applies a lot of pressure. And so, I didn’t think it would be possible to do that. But, you know, this team never ceases to amaze me with the level they can rise to at any given challenge.”
The highly anticipated matchup featured numerous shifts in momentum, with 17 ties throughout the contest, 10 of which occurred in the opening set alone. Several rallies were extended, demanding unwavering focus and precision from both sides. However, Kentucky established clear control from the outset, evidenced by a wire-to-wire victory in the second set. Even when Creighton displayed flashes of their best volleyball, hitting .111 in the third set, they struggled to find a consistent rhythm against the Wildcats’ relentless pressure.
Defensive Prowess and Offensive Firepower
A key factor in Kentucky’s success was their exceptional defensive effort, highlighted by a staggering 62 digs compared to Creighton’s 36. This defensive tenacity, a hallmark of the Wildcats’ play, significantly frustrated the Bluejays’ attackers. Libero Molly Tuozzo led the charge with 17 digs, supported by freshmen Trinity Ward and Kassie O’Brien, who combined for 12. Brooklyn DeLeye added 12 digs, and Eva Hudson contributed a crucial 15 digs.
Skinner emphasized the importance of this defensive mentality, stating, “It’s a mentality. We have to establish a defensive mentality in practice. We hammer balls at them all the time. They’re flying all over the gym making plays. We have a couple rules, reasons why you don’t go for the ball. That would be out of bounds, you hear the whistle or some sort of danger is in the way. Outside of that, you better go for the ball.”
Hudson echoed this sentiment, noting that Skinner implored the team “to be relentless all evening” and to dig up Creighton’s “best shots” to create frustration. The Wildcats recorded a match-low 13 digs in the first set, increasing to 14 in the second and a season-high 20 in the third, demonstrating their growing dominance as the match progressed.
“Especially the first few points of the first set, it was hard to find the rhythm with a game with so much pressure and a lot of high expectations,” Hudson recalled. “But I think in the second and third, we really found groove, our flow state, and we just capitalized on it.”
Offensively, Kentucky showcased a balanced attack, outhitting Creighton .263 to .066. The Wildcats tallied 47 kills to the Bluejays’ 29 and boasted an impressive sideout percentage of 75%, compared to Creighton’s 50.7%.
Standout Performances and a Packed House
Several Wildcats delivered outstanding individual performances. Outside hitter Brooklyn DeLeye, who was named the Lexington Regional All-Tournament Most Outstanding Player, was instrumental on both offense and defense. She recorded 18 kills with a .326 hitting percentage and added 12 digs. Eva Hudson was a significant offensive threat with 13 kills and an ace, hitting .273, along with her 15 digs. Setter Kassie O’Brien orchestrated the offense with 40 assists.
Middle blocker Kennedy Washington was highly efficient, hitting a team-high .500 and contributing five kills. Asia Thigpen also provided a strong offensive presence with eight kills and a .429 hitting percentage.
The victory was witnessed by a boisterous crowd of 6,122 fans at Memorial Coliseum, setting a season-high attendance record for Kentucky. The home crowd, affectionately known as Big Blue Nation, was electric, creating an atmosphere that even impressed Creighton’s head coach, Brian Rosen.
Rosen lightheartedly commented on the fan support, noting, “Still sold this place out tonight. Which says a lot about a place I know, at one point, was a basketball school, maybe they’re a volleyball school now. We like to joke that we’re a volleyball school, too. So I think so many fans and communities are seeing how special this sport is.”
Kentucky’s win marked their second-ever trip to the Final Four and their first since the 2020 national championship season. The team also secured its 15th home win of the year, completing a perfect home record for the 2025 campaign.
Looking Ahead to the Final Four
The Wildcats will now prepare to face the winner of the No. 1 Texas and No. 3 Wisconsin matchup on Thursday at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.
Coach Skinner emphasized the importance of savoring the moment and embracing the pressure. “We know that there’s going to be pressure,” he said. “But we have got to enjoy this. I mean you do not get this chance very often in life, and so we’re not going to go in and, ‘Oh my God, we gotta play great on Thursday!’ From here until then. We’re going to enjoy the experience, enjoy this victory and enjoy the time we have together.”
He concluded by reflecting on the unique bond within the team: “And you know, I told the team in the locker room, it’s very rare you get to experience a group of people like this that is so bought into each other and the program, and so we have to enjoy that for as long as we can, and long as this season will take us.”
Kentucky’s impressive run is not only a testament to their talent and hard work but also a significant contribution to the growing popularity and visibility of women’s college volleyball.