University of Kentucky Wildcats volleyball recaps the loss to #2 Nebraska in 2024 AVCA First Serve at the KCF Yum Center.
No. 9 Kentucky Volleyball Falls to No. 2 Nebraska in Season Opener
The No. 9 Kentucky Volleyball team began its 2024 season with a challenging match against No. 2 Nebraska, ultimately falling 3-1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-15, 25-20) in the 2024 American Volleyball Coaches’ Association First Serve Showcase at the KFC Yum! Center. This match marked the official start of the 2024 volleyball season across the nation.
Nebraska started strong, hitting over .250 in the opening set and capitalizing on late momentum to secure a 1-0 lead. Kentucky responded with a 25-22 win in the second set, but Nebraska took the final two sets to clinch the match.
Sophomore outside hitter Brooklyn DeLeye led the Wildcats with a match-high 19 kills, complemented by six digs and three blocks. Erin Lamb also contributed significantly, tallying 14 kills and three service aces.
Kentucky now turns its focus to a historic homecoming at the newly-renovated Memorial Coliseum in Lexington. The Wildcats will face Northern Kentucky at 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday night as part of the Bluegrass Battle tournament. The match will be broadcast on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app, with Andrew Kappes calling the game on the UK Sports Network.
Set One
The Wildcats started the match on a positive note, taking an early lead thanks to a kill from RS-freshman middle blocker Jordyn Dailey, her first career point. Kentucky maintained the lead for much of the set, extending it to 15-11 during the first media timeout. However, Nebraska gradually closed the gap, tying the set at 19-19 before winning four of the last five points to take the first set 25-21. Erin Lamb led Kentucky’s offense with five kills, while Brooklyn DeLeye added three, and Emma Grome contributed 12 assists.
Set Two
Kentucky leveled the match by winning the second set 25-23, driven by Erin Lamb’s nine kills on 16 swings, hitting an impressive .562. Nebraska initially held a three-point lead, but Kentucky, led by freshman Asia Thigpen, fought back to tie the set at 20-20. A challenge win by head coach Craig Skinner and a kill by DeLeye brought Kentucky to set point, where Lamb secured the win with her ninth kill.
Set Three
Nebraska came out strong in the third set, quickly establishing a 12-6 lead that forced Kentucky into a timeout. Despite back-to-back points from Kentucky to narrow the gap to 17-9, Nebraska regained momentum and extended their lead, eventually winning the set 25-15 to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
Set Four
The Huskers again jumped out to an early lead in the fourth set, forcing Kentucky into a timeout while trailing 9-3. Nebraska maintained control, hitting over .300 and closing out the match with a 25-20 victory in the final set.
Key Moment
The pivotal moment for Kentucky came in the second set when Erin Lamb’s kill tied the match at 1-1. This was Lamb’s eighth kill of the match, and she had yet to commit an error.
Key Player
Senior libero Eleanor Beavin was a standout for Kentucky, leading all players with 23 digs and adding four assists.
Key Stat
Kentucky’s serving was a bright spot, with the Wildcats recording six aces compared to Nebraska’s four.
