The No. 1-seeded Pittsburgh Panthers defeated the No. 3-seeded Kentucky Wildcats in straight sets (25-22, 25-23, 25-17) on Saturday afternoon, securing their place in the NCAA Volleyball Championship Final Four in Louisville.
Kentucky’s season concludes with a remarkable 23-8 overall record, highlighted by an eighth consecutive Southeastern Conference (SEC) title after a dominant 14-2 conference run. The Wildcats were the deepest-advancing SEC team in the NCAA Tournament, a testament to their strong season.
Farewell to Six Seniors
Saturday’s match marked the final chapter for six Kentucky seniors who made lasting contributions to the program. Emma Grome, Eleanor Beavin, and Erin Lamb spent their collegiate careers at Kentucky, earning four consecutive SEC championships and 91 wins while making three NCAA Regional appearances, including this year’s run to the Regional Final—the team’s first since their 2020 National Championship.
Transfers Megan Wilson, Lane Jenkins, and Delaney Hogan also left their mark. Wilson helped the Wildcats secure back-to-back SEC titles in 2023 and 2024, while Jenkins earned three conference titles in her time with Kentucky.
Match Recap
Set One:
Pitt capitalized on Kentucky’s early errors and a strong offensive rhythm, leading 15-13 at the media timeout. The Panthers extended their lead to 19-13 with a 5-0 run, forcing Kentucky to call a timeout. Despite a late push, including a service ace and kill by Megan Wilson, Kentucky couldn’t overcome the deficit, and Pitt secured the first set, 25-22.
Set Two:
Kentucky stormed out to a 5-0 lead in the second set, but Pitt quickly erased the advantage with a 6-0 run to tie the score at 6-6. The Wildcats rebuilt momentum behind strong plays from Erin Lamb and Brooke Bultema, establishing a 20-15 lead. However, Pitt responded with an 8-1 run, closing the set with a service ace to win 25-23 and take a 2-0 match lead.
Set Three:
Pitt dominated the third set from start to finish, hitting an impressive .500 clip. The Panthers never relinquished their lead, sealing the sweep with a decisive 25-17 victory.
By the Numbers
- Pitt’s Efficiency: The Panthers hit .333 for the match, compared to Kentucky’s .167.
- Errors Prove Costly: Kentucky tallied more kills than Pitt (42-37) but committed 23 errors.
- Key Contributors: Brooklyn DeLeye and Megan Wilson paced the Wildcats offensively, while Eleanor Beavin anchored the defense with strong dig performances.
Looking Ahead
As Kentucky bids farewell to its seniors, the Wildcats can reflect on another successful season filled with milestones and memorable moments. The future looks promising as the team continues its tradition of excellence under head coach Craig Skinner.
Meanwhile, the Pitt Panthers advance to Louisville, where they will compete for a spot in the NCAA Volleyball Championship Final.
