In a sweep of Arkansas (5-21, 1-14 SEC ) on Sunday Nov. 16 the No. 2 Kentucky Wildcats (22-2, 15-0 SEC) grabbed a second undefeated conference-record in program history.
This makes nine consecutive SEC titles for UK, all of which have come under the leadership of head coach Craig Skinner.
Eva Hudsons Senior Send-Off
It was a poetic end to the season for senior outside hitter Eva Hudson. Before the game, the Wildcats’ only senior was honored with a tribute, flowers, a framed jersey and her family was in attendance for the whole thing.
After the tears, it was time for the match to start, and it was Hudson who scored the first point in two of three sets for the Cats. Then, to end her final regular season, Hudson scored the match point.
Hudson finished the historic win with 15 kills, leading all players in the match. After the final point was scored and pictures were taken, she got on the PA and gave a message to the fans in the crowd.
“I just wanted to thank you all so much for welcoming me here, it has been an amazing year,” said Hudson. “I can’t wait to see you guys in the postseason, so thank you.”
The SEC tournament will be hosted in Savannah, Georgia starting Friday, Nov. 21 where Kentucky holds the No. 1 overall seed for the entire bracket.
The Sweep
Kentucky seemed in control of the game throughout all three sets. There were only four lead changes throughout the match, and in the final set, the Wildcats held the lead through every single one of the 25 points.
The Cats’ effort when diving for the long balls and getting meaningful blocks were what kept the Razorbacks at bay, resulting in 41 digs and six blocks as a team.
It was Hudson and Brooklyn DeLeye who lead the game in kills, who both finished with double digit kills in the win. Hudson finished the season with 390 total kills and DeLeye finished with 401 on the year.
The player who consistently sets up her teammates for success, freshman Kassie O’Brien, totaled 35 assists in the win.
Up next for the Wildcats is the long road ahead, that road leading to the SEC tournament title. Earning the No. 1 overall bid, Kentucky will be with an advantage to begin the bracket, earning a double bye and hosting the winner of match five (No. 8 Auburn vs. winner of No. 9 Oklahoma/No. 16 Arkansas) on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 12:00 p.m. ET. It will be streamed live on the SEC Network.
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