Sophomore outside hitter Brooklyn DeLeye delivered a historic performance Sunday afternoon, recording 30 kills to set a new Kentucky record for a four-set match. DeLeye’s remarkable effort powered the No. 13 Wildcats to a 3-1 victory (25-27, 25-22, 25-21, 25-21) over the Georgia Bulldogs at Historic Memorial Coliseum, extending Kentucky’s winning streak to eight matches.
DeLeye’s 30 kills, achieved on 69 swings with a .377 hitting percentage, broke the previous school record for a four-set match. She also contributed eight digs, making this her 42nd career match with double-digit kills and her 11th career performance with 20 or more kills—a mark second only to Leah Edmond in program history. DeLeye joins Anni Thomasson as the only Wildcats to achieve a 30-kill match in the rally-scoring era.
Match Overview
Kentucky improved to 17-7 overall and 11-2 in SEC play, reclaiming the top spot in the conference standings. The Wildcats now hold a full-match lead over Florida (10-3) and a game-and-a-half advantage over Texas and Missouri (both 9-3).
- Set 1: Georgia 27, Kentucky 25
The Bulldogs came out firing, snapping Kentucky’s 20-set winning streak with a .326 hitting percentage and a 72% sideout rate. Despite a hard-fought effort, Georgia took the opener in extra points, 27-25. - Set 2: Kentucky 25, Georgia 22
Kentucky trailed 17-12 before a pivotal 6-0 run, sparked by Asia Thigpen’s energy and Eleanor Beavin’s service pressure, turned the tide. The Wildcats evened the match at 1-1 with a 25-22 win. - Set 3: Kentucky 25, Georgia 21
The Wildcats’ defense took control in the third set, limiting Georgia to a .139 hitting percentage while recording a .233 mark themselves. Emma Grome’s consecutive service aces were a highlight as Kentucky claimed a 2-1 lead. - Set 4: Kentucky 25, Georgia 21
Kentucky closed out the match in style, riding a balanced offensive attack to a 25-21 fourth-set victory. The Wildcats’ composure down the stretch sealed their eighth consecutive win.
Key Performances
Emma Grome orchestrated the offense masterfully, recording 58 assists and two service aces. Molly Tuozzo continued her defensive excellence with 19 digs, while Beavin chipped in two aces during critical moments.
Looking Ahead
The Wildcats are halfway through their five-match homestand and will host Mississippi State on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. ET, followed by Arkansas on Sunday at 4 p.m. ET. Both matches will take place at Historic Memorial Coliseum and will be streamed on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app. Kentucky will look to maintain its lead in the SEC as the regular season nears its conclusion.
