Kentucky volleyball, the top seed in the Lexington Regional and the overall second seed in the NCAA Tournament, is set to face off against a resilient No. 12-seeded Cal Poly team on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. ET in Memorial Coliseum, with a coveted spot in the Elite Eight on the line.
The Wildcats enter this match on a high, following a stellar postseason performance that culminated in a 3-1 victory over the 8-seeded UCLA Bruins. Brooklyn DeLeye was a standout in that game, delivering an impressive 30 kills with a hitting percentage of .397. Her teammate Eva Hudson also shone brightly, contributing 27 kills with an outstanding .463 hitting efficiency. Supporting them, middle blocker Lizzie Carr and Asia Thigpen made their presence felt with eight pivotal blocks, while setter Kassie O’Brien orchestrated the offense with 60 assists and 14 digs. Libero Molly Tuozzo anchored the defense with a solid 15 digs, showcasing Kentucky’s depth and talent.
Kentucky’s success stems from its exceptional firepower and balance, with key players like DeLeye (537 points), Hudson (522.5 points), and Carr (123 blocks) leading the charge. O’Brien has amassed 1,119 assists, and Tuozzo adds reliability on defense with 413 digs, ensuring Kentucky remains one of the most efficient offenses in the nation.
Meanwhile, Cal Poly, regarded as one of the most talented double-digit seeds in the tournament, poses a significant challenge. The Mustangs have shown their mettle, sweeping Arkansas and collecting impressive victories over teams like Cal, Utah, and Long Beach State, as well as securing remarkable back-to-back five-set upsets against No. 5 BYU and No. 4 USC in the NCAA Tournament. Their powerful play features a hitting efficiency of .278 while limiting opponents to .190, along with a notable blocking advantage of 281.0 to 189.0.
Molly Tuozzo has expressed respect for their opponent, noting, “I just don’t think they’re gonna take a point off… They have nothing to lose… We just have to come out fighting.”
Cal Poly’s offensive strength is led by Emma Fredrick, who has tallied 411 kills and 339 digs, and Kendall Beshear, contributing 369 kills and 49 aces. The Mustangs’ size at the net is bolstered by middle blockers Charlotte Kelly and Chloe Leluge, while setter Emme Bullis directs a balanced offense with 1,184 assists.
Kentucky will need to rely on effective serving and disciplined blocking to secure a victory. A win would not only keep them from falling victim to Cal Poly but also bring them a step closer to fulfilling their championship aspirations at home, in what could be a memorable postseason run.