No. 10 Kentucky passed its first true road test on Friday night, sweeping Southern Methodist 3-0 (25-23, 26-24, 25-21) to claim its third consecutive win. Brooklyn DeLeye led the Wildcats with 15 kills, and Kentucky hit .277 as a team, overcoming a hostile environment while holding SMU to a .250 hitting percentage.
Emma Grome orchestrated the offense with 38 assists, adding four kills on four attacks, five digs, and two blocks. Defensively, Molly Tuozzo once again reached double-digit digs, recording 11. Kentucky outblocked SMU 8-6, with RS-freshman middle blocker Jordyn Dailey contributing seven blocks and four kills.
Match Recap
Set One: Kentucky started strong, taking an 8-0 run early, aided by Erin Lamb’s serving, to build an 11-7 lead. SMU clawed back, cutting the lead to 24-23, but a kill from Brooklyn DeLeye secured the set for Kentucky, 25-23. Kentucky’s defense held SMU to a .094 hitting percentage, and DeLeye led with five kills.
Set Two: Kentucky opened the second set with a 4-0 run, forcing an early SMU timeout. The Wildcats extended their lead to 18-13, prompting SMU’s second timeout. SMU fought back to tie the set at 24-24, but a kill from DeLeye and an SMU error gave Kentucky the set, 26-24.
Set Three: SMU took its first lead of the match in the third set, holding a 15-12 advantage at the media timeout. Kentucky regained momentum late, with Megan Wilson’s 10th kill putting them ahead 20-19. A service ace from Erin Lamb and DeLeye’s 13th kill helped Kentucky close the match on an 8-2 run, winning the set 25-21.
With the victory, Kentucky improves to 6-2 on the season, handing SMU (5-3) its first home loss after defeating No. 2 Nebraska and No. 19 Baylor earlier this season.
What’s Next: Kentucky will face No. 7 Purdue on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET in the winner’s bracket of the Doubletree Invitational at Moody Coliseum.
