Balanced attack leads Kentucky volleyball to second win of the weekend

Balanced attack leads Kentucky volleyball to second win of the weekend Categories: Top Sports Volleyball Balanced attack leads Kentucky volleyball to second win of the weekend Ella Russell, Sports Reporter October 13, 2026 Vincenzo Ciaramitaro Kentucky setter Kassie O’Brien yells after UK scored a point during a volleyball game against Ole Miss on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, at Historic Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Ky. Kentucky won 3-1. Photo by Vincenzo Ciaramitaro | Kentucky Kernel No. 4 Kentucky volleyball defeated Ole Miss 3-1 (25-14, 25-20, 22-25, 25-19) at Historic Memorial Coliseum Sunday to secure its second home win of the weekend after defeating LSU Friday night. The win improved the Wildcats to 13-3 overall, and 5-1 in SEC play. The victories over LSU and Ole Miss came after Kentucky saw its 29-game SEC winning streak end with a 3-2 loss to Florida in Gainesville on Sunday, Oct. 4. After a 2-0 weekend in Lexington, the Wildcats’ next challenge is a stretch of three straight SEC matchups on the road. Kentucky dominated in the first two sets, but struggled offensively in the third. Ole Miss became the first team to take a set from Kentucky at home this season, and pushed the Wildcats to a fourth set. The Wildcats were able to secure the win in the fourth set and maintain its now 31-game home winning streak, but showed room to improve to meet their high standards. “I think any SEC win is precious, and they’re gonna come in different ways,” associate head coach Kyle Luongo said after the game. Kentucky hit .400 in the first set and .429 in the second, but fell 1-8 to Ole Miss at the start of the third. Ole Miss opposite Jorda Crook spikes the ball during a volleyball game against Kentucky on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, at Historic Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Ky. Photo by Vincenzo Ciaramitaro | Kentucky Kernel (Vincenzo Ciaramitaro) Ole Miss capitalized on that momentum, and Kentucky hit only .125 in the third, allowing the Rebels to take the set 25-22. “We couldn’t get in rhythm offensively after that second set,” Luongo said. The Wildcats bounced back in the fourth set, and won 25-19 without trailing. It was a balanced offensive effort for Kentucky, with five players recording at least seven kills. Brooklyn DeLeye had 14 of the team’s 56 kills, and Morgan Gaerte recorded 13. Kassie O’Brien had 43 assists and Kennedy Washington led the team in hitting efficiency, recording eight kills on 10 attempts with a hitting percentage of .700. “She does such a good job, and you can tell on the court how much she cares,” O’Brien said of Washington’s role on the team. The Wildcats continue their SEC road schedule with a three game road swing, starting Friday against Oklahoma. Luongo acknowledged the challenges of SEC road play, saying the team will be process-oriented rather than focused on performance or numbers. “I think when you’re on the road, you have to try to fight to stay in your rhythms,” Luongo said. “But also just acknowledge the gym’s different. The atmosphere’s gonna be different. You’re traveling.” O’Brien said playing on the road can give her an extra edge and motivate her. “Whenever we go on the road, I’m wanting to step in their place and just beat that team, because they have all their fans, they’re yelling at us, and it’s a competitive environment,” O’Brien said. “So it always feels good to come out with the win when you are on the road.” The support at HMC has been a hallmark of Kentucky’s season so far. The Wildcats have drawn crowds of more than 5,000 fans at three home matches this season, marking the first time in program history they have done so during the regular season. Four home games remain in the regular season. Head coach Craig Skinner emphasized the strength of Big Blue Nation and the student section earlier this year. “Road matches are really tough in the SEC, and we need that from our student section,” Skinner said. As the Wildcats hit the road for their next three matches, Kentucky will look to carry the momentum from its 2-0 weekend in Lexington, while focusing on the details and rhythm Luongo said will be key to success. Kentucky will stay at home in Historic Memorial Coliseum on Sunday, Oct. 25, to host Texas A&M in the annual Pink Out game. 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