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Kyle Luongo Shares What Kentucky Volleyball Learned After Disappointing Loss to No. 7 Florida

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Photo via Sydney Yonker | UK Athletics

On Oct. 4, the No. 7 Florida Gators ended No. 3 Kentucky’s five-match winning streak after a grueling five-set match, handing the Wildcats their first loss in conference play.

In total, Kentucky had an attacking average of only .133, significantly lower than its near-.268 average. Craig Skinner’s team totaled 53 kills across 166 attacks.

Senior Brookyn Deleye and six-foot-five junior Morgan Gaerte totaled 33 kills throughout the match, which kept the Wildcats within reaching distance during the second and third sets.

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This neck-and-neck battle pitted the SEC’s best offense against its best defense: unstoppable Kentucky versus an immovable Florida.

Following the game, associate coach Kyle Luongo spoke about the team’s response to the loss while Skinner was on a recruiting trip.

“You never want to lose…but we essentially do need to learn from that loss,” Luongo said. “It was a tough one.”

Florida’s lockdown defense prevented Kentucky’s main powerhouse hitters from making key plays to build a scoring run. The first four sets were so close that neither team could win by more than four.

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“Statistically, it wasn’t pretty for either team,” Luongo continued. “Florida just kind of gutted it out, and they were better in a few areas where we weren’t.”

Although the Gators secured the win, they surrendered five service errors, while the Wildcats padded their service errors with four aces, three of them from Deleye.

The swamp offense also largely avoided putting the ball near libero Molly Tuozzo, who recorded 21 digs.

“Teams will do whatever they can to avoid serving Molly Tuozzo…we somehow creatively get Tuozzo to pass more balls even when they’re trying to avoid her.”

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She averages about 13 digs per match this season, and opposing teams know she can get just about anything up. Kentucky is adapting creatively to keep her on the ball when teams avoid her, so the Wildcats stay in the system.

Florida directly targeted players in the left back to avoid Tuozzo, which meant they were picking on Deleye and junior outside hitter Asia Thigpen.

“They’ll just want to pick on Brooklyn even though her numbers suggest you don’t,” Luongo exclaimed. “She’s a good passer. Mabye they think they’re going to wear her down or something.”

However, Thigpen had 14 digs against Florida, resisting Florida’s attempt to pick her apart.

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Kentucky is looking for new ways to improve its defense, such as finding new places for Tuozzo and preparing Deleye and Thigpen to pick up a significant number of balls in the middle back.

“Ready to keep pushing through, and that failure is not final… so we just have to keep moving and even all that we still want to accomplish. This season is still all out before us.”

One loss does not define Kentucky; it remains among the nation’s best and can be incredibly successful in the NCAA Tournament.

“I trust our group. I think I trust our leaders and so well be ready to go.”

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Kentucky is building momentum for a return home, hosting the LSU Tigers (7-6) at Historic Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 9. Start time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET and will stream live on SEC Network+. Can the Wildcats get back in the win column?

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No. 14 Kentucky Women’s Basketball Dominates Morehead State in Home Opener

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Photo via Tyler Ruth | UK Athletics

On Monday, Nov. 2, the No. 14 Kentucky Wildcats (1-0) dominated Morehead State (0-1) in the team’s home opener, getting win number one by a final score of 85-42!

College Basketball is finally back, and fans all across Lexington packed into Historic Memorial Coliseum, excited to see their Wildcats back in action.

In the first quarter, the Cats were unstoppable, going on a 13-point scoring run and forcing four turnovers early on the Eagles. Kentucky did not allow a single point until four minutes remained in the quarter.

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Additionally, superstar senior center Clara Strack tallied six points, four rebounds and two assists all during the first 10 minutes. She would finish the game with 17 points, nine rebounds and six blocks in just 21 minutes of play.

In the second quarter, Kentucky took a focus to paint dominance, scoring 24 points inside. Kenny Brooks had his team playing with elite consistency on both sides of the ball, showing fans in attendance the huge potential of this team this season.

The Wildcats’ defensive pressure forced 20 turnovers, scoring 21 points off of them.

In the second half, freshman guard Maddyn Greenway showed off her lockdown defense and skill without the ball in her hand, going for three rebounds and a steal. Ending the game with 12 points and four assists, the five-star recruit used a boost in the last 20 minutes to get flashy for the Wildcats with her fast-paced play.

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After the game, Brooks stated that he, “was proud of the way we made adjustments” when asked about their overall performance. Looking into the future, he later commented on his freshman trio, saying they “came out and gave us a lot of energy.”

Emily McDonald, Savvy Swords and Greenway ultimately combined for 28 points in all of their first games as Wildcats. Swords had eight offensive rebounds, creating a consistent presence around the rim all night for Kentucky.

The Wildcats play again on Thursday, Nov. 5, hosting Northern Kentucky for the team’s second home game. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on SEC Network+.

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Know the Name: Asia Boone Ready to Make an Impact For Kentucky

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Photo by Tyler Ruth | UK Athletics

As Kentucky Women’s Basketball prepares to tip off for the 2026-27 regular season, senior guard Asia Boone is a name Wildcat fans should keep an eye on.

Boone was recently named to the Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year Preseason Watch List, recognizing her as one of the top shooting guards in the nation.

Boone got her start with Liberty, where she averaged approximately 10 points per game across 67 appearances, knocking down 125 three-point shots and earning Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors. After transferring from the Flames, she quickly established herself as a key contributor for the Wildcats.

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In her first season playing in the SEC, Boone averaged 10.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. She appeared in all 36 games, making 19 starts after working her way into the starting lineup midway through the season.

However, her biggest strength came from beyond arc.

Boone finished the season with 96 made shots from deep, ranking second in the SEC and 11th nationally. Her impressive shooting performance also placed her second in Kentucky program history, trailing only former teammate Amelia Hassett, who finished the season with 99.

While her shooting ability has been a major part of her success, she has also demonstrated her versatility on the court. Serving as a backup point guard to former Wildcat Tonie Morgan, Boone recorded at least three assists in 19 games last season.

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With Morgan now gone, Boone’s experience and ability to contribute in multiple areas could become even more important for Kentucky’s backcourt this season.

Heading into her senior year, she has the opportunity to build upon an already impressive season and establish herself as one of the conferences top guards. With the Wildcats set to open their regular season against Morehead State on Monday, Nov. 2, Boone will look to carry her momentum from last season into another successful year in Lexington.

While her shooting will continue to make her a major offensive threat, her leadership and experience could prove to be just as valuable, as she is one of three returning players from last season alongside Clara Strack and Gabby Brooks.

“There’s a lot more responsibility on my shoulders this year, Boone told Larry Vaught. “I wouldn’t say pressure, but pressure is also a privilege. That responsibility does get me uncomfortable, but I need to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

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The time is almost here, with the Big Blue Nation ready to yell “BOOOONE” every single time a shot from deep goes up.

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No. 7 Kentucky Volleyball Sweeps Missouri, Ends Losing Streak

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Photo via Marissa Gilchrist | UK Athletics

On Friday, Oct. 30, No. 7 Kentucky Volleyball (16-5, 8-3 SEC) faced off with the unranked Missouri Tigers (13-9, 6-4 SEC) at home, eventually sweeping the visitors 3-0 and ending a two-match losing streak.

The Wildcats lost to No. 9 Tennessee and No. 19 Texas A&M last week, two matches that were very winnable.

There were two key talking points of the night – costumes and kills. The Big Blue Nation was feeling the Halloween spirit, so Historic Memorial Coliseum was full of different costumes!

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Wildcat and Scratch even dressed up as Pete Mitchell from Top Gun and Spiderman, with many cheerleaders and band members were dressed up as well. One family of fans wore coordinating Toy Story costumes, with the baby as Buzz Lightyear.

Spirit was working in Kentucky’s favor, because on the court, everything came easy.

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Hit percentage was also very important for the Wildcats. For the entire match, Kentucky had a hit percentage of .327 compared to Missouri’s .168. The statistics look to all be in favor of the blue and white, but it did get slightly rocky in the second set.

Missouri hung with the Wildcats, leading most of the set. There were 15 ties and seven lead changes in the second set alone, but Kentucky prevailed to win 29-27.

The third set would come with ease, with the home team allowing two subtle ties and winning the set by eight. Get out the brooms for the Cats! Game Statistics

Kentucky will play again on Friday, Nov. 6 at 7:00 p.m. ET, hosting the Alabama Crimson Tide (9-10, 1-9 SEC), who have lost five straight. The game will be streamed live on SEC Network+.

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