Sports

No. 15 St. Cloud State Volleyball Travels to Mankato Tuesday for Midweek Tilt

Published

3 months ago

September 23, 2025

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – No. 15 St. Cloud State Volleyball (7-3 overall, 2-0 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) will play its first midweek conference match of the season on Tuesday when it travels to play (RV) Minnesota State (10-0, 2-0 NSIC). First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. from the Taylor Center in Mankato.

FOLLOW THE HUSKIES
The match will be streamed live for free on the NSIC Network with live Stats provided by MSU.

Match 11 – @ (RV) Minnesota State (Taylor Center // Mankato) – Tuesday, Sept. 23 / 6 p.m. / Watch (NSIC Network) / Live stats

Links to each coverage option can also be found on the St. Cloud State Volleyball schedule page.

SERIES HISTORY
The Huskies are 62-53 all-time against Minnesota State and are 7-3 in its last 10 matchups against MSU. SCSU has won the last five matchups against the Mavericks including two matches in 2024, a 3-1 win on Sept. 19 at Halenbeck Hall and a 3-0 sweep at the Taylor Center on November 8. The Huskies are are 15-17 all-time against MSU at the Taylor Center.

LAST TIME OUT
Last weekend, the Huskies swept Minot State and UMary at home improving their home record to 5-1. The sweeps were the fifth and sixth of the 2025 season.

Notes from the matches
3-0 win vs. Minot State (9-19-25)

SCSU improved to 19-1 all-time against Minot State and 9-1 against the Beavers in St. Cloud.

The Huskies improved to 4-1 at home and earned their 5^th sweep.

SCSU led the match in points (52-30), kills (44-25), hitting percentage (.350-.111), aces (7-2), assists (40-24) and digs (44-40). The Beavers led in blocks (3-1).

Junior outside hitter/opposite Shelby Kimm (North Liberty, Iowa) contributed 11 digs and eight kills (.438 hitting %) in two sets. It was her second time this season with double-digit digs.

Freshman outside hitter Emery Thury (Watertown, S.D.) posted 10 kills (.533 hitting %) in two sets. She posted a career-high hitting percentage (.533) and sent down double-digit kills for the third time this season.

Sophomore setter Braya LaPlant (Grand Rapids, Minn.) tallied 25 assists and five digs in two sets.

Sophomore libero Laurin Hamann (Manitowoc, Wis.) recorded 13 digs. She has recorded 13+ digs in all but one match this season.

Redshirt senior middle blocker Ella Thompson (Lakeville, Minn.) sent down seven kills (.455 hitting %) in two sets.

Senior setter Emma Berran (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) dished out 12 assists in the lone set she played in.

Sophomore outside hitter Carlie Willis (Grundy Center, Iowa) tallied a career-high two service aces.

Freshman middle blocker Kendall Huhnerkoch (Redwood Falls, Minn.) recorded her first collegiate kill.

Freshman setter/opposite Asta Hildebrand (North Liberty, Iowa) played in her first career collegiate match.

3-0 win vs. UMary (9-20-25)

SCSU improved to 20-6 all-time against UMary and 11-1 against the Mauraders in St. Cloud. The Huskies have beaten UMary in 11 straight matches.

The Huskies improved to 5-1 at home this season and earned their 6^th sweep.

SCSU led the match in points (60-33), kills (45-25), hitting percentage (.354-.077), aces (7-4), blocks (8-4), assists (41-23) and digs (42-31).

Sophomore setter Braya LaPlant (Grand Rapids, Minn.) tallied a 33-assist, 10-dig double-double. It was her second career double-double and she tied her career-high in digs (10).

Graduate middle blocker Sam Zimmerman (Moorhead, Minn.) recorded 11 kills on 17 attempts (.647 hitting %), five block assists and four aces. She posted a new career high in aces (four) and tied her season best for kills in a match (seven).

Junior outside hitter/opposite Shelby Kimm (North Liberty, Iowa) contributed nine kills and nine digs.

Senior middle blocker Emilie Planert (De Pere, Wis.) posted seven kills and six block assists. She tied her career best in kills (seven).

Sophomore libero Laurin Hamann (Manitowoc, Wis.) recorded 11 digs.

LET’S GO POLLING
The Huskies were ranked No. 15 in the Sept. 22 (week three) American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)/TARAFLEX Division II Poll.

Under the direction of Head Coach Chad Braegelmann, the program has been ranked for 72 consecutive weeks (including 46 weeks in the top 10), dating back to the 2019 season. The Huskies have spent a total of 146 weeks in the AVCA top 20/25 Poll in program history, including 71 weeks in the top 10.

SCSU in the 2025 AVCA DII National Poll
#3 – Preseason
#10 – Week One
#16 – Week Two
#15 – Week Three

NCAA (Top-50) / NSIC (Top-15) INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL RANKINGS
(as of 9/21)

Sophomore libero Laurin Hamann
- NSIC
  - No. 6 – digs/set (4.26)
  - No. 6 – digs (145)

Redshirt freshman opposite Mollie Hobson
- NSIC
  - No. 11 – aces/set (0.44)

Junior outside hitter/opposite Shelby Kimm
- NSIC
  - No. 14 – kills/set (3.16)
  - No. 14 – points/set (3.68)

Sophomore setter Braya LaPlant
- NCAA
  - No. 20 – assists/set (10.38)
- NSIC
  - No. 6 – assists/set (10.38)
  - No. 7 – assists (301)

Redshirt junior middle blocker Ella Thompson
- NSIC
  - No. 6 – kills/set (3.57)
  - No. 11 – points/set (3.95)

NCAA (Top-20) / NSIC (Top-3) TEAM STATISTICAL RANKINGS
(as of 9/21)

NCAA
- No. 5 – kills/set (14.74)
- No. 7 – assists/set (13.68)
- No. 17 – hitting percentage (.268)

NSIC
- No. 1 – kills/set (14.74)
- No. 2 – aces/set (2.15)
- No. 3 – assists/set (13.68)
- No. 3 – aces (73)

ALL-TOURNEY TEAMS
Sophomore setter Braya LaPlant (Grand Rapids, Minn) and redshirt senior middle blocker Ella Thompson (Lakeville, Minn.) were named to the 2025 UP North Tournament All-Tournament Team.

Senior setter Emma Berran (Inver Grove Heights, Minn) and Thompson were named to the 2025 Western Washington Invitational All-Tournament Team to open the season.

WELCOME TO THE PACK
The Huskies welcomed three newcomers to the team this fall (all freshmen): setter/opposite Asta Hildebrand (North Liberty, Iowa / Liberty HS), middle blocker Kendall Huhnerkoch (Redwood Falls, Minn. / Redwood Valley HS) and outside hitter/defensive specialist Emery Thury (Watertown, S.D. / Watertown HS).

SEASON PREVIEW
St. Cloud State Volleyball was selected to finish first in the 2025 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Additionally, reigning American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) second team All-American, redshirt senior middle blocker Ella Thompson (Lakeville, Minn.) was named the Preseason Player of the Year for the conference.

The defending NSIC Regular Season and Tournament Champion Huskies amassed 212 points in the poll, including eight of the 16 first place votes, earning the top spot in the preseason poll for the first time in program history.

Rounding out the top five behind the Huskies is Concordia-St. Paul (2^nd, 208 points, four first place votes), Southwest Minnesota State (3^rd, 202 points, four first place votes), Wayne State (4^th, 188 points) and Northern State (5^th, 170 points).

“Once again, I’m impressed with the work that these women have put in, throughout the spring, competitive season, and the off-season,” said head coach Chad Braegelmann. “They continue to improve as volleyball players, students of the game and as role models to the young girls that watch our sport. I am excited to see some new players step up into bigger roles, this fall and am excited for the combination of experience and youth that we look to roster this fall.”

Braegelmann enters his 10th competitive season at the helm of St. Cloud State Volleyball and his 24th season overall as a collegiate head coach in 2025 (*note – no season was held in 2020-21 due to the global pandemic). His record at SCSU is 179-95 (.653) including an 107-69 (.608) mark in NSIC play after leading last year’s team to a 29-3 record (18-0 NSIC).

Last season, he was tabbed as the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Coach of the Year and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Central Region Coach of the Year. It was the third time (2019, 2021) he was named NSIC Coach of the Year, and first time being named a regional coach of the year. It was the first time in SCSU Volleyball history that a coach earned regional coach of the year honors.

On the court, the Huskies return four of six starters from last year’s team, headlined by Thompson, the 2025 NSIC Preseason Player of the Year and fellow reigning AVCA All-American, senior setter Emma Berran (Inver Grove Heights, Minn).

In her first season playing for SCSU in 2024, Thompson was a first team All-Central Region selection by the AVCA and a second team all-region pick by the D2CCA. The Lakeville native was a first team All-NSIC selection and was named to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team, the NSIC Tournament All-Tournament Team and the UP North Tournament All-Tournament Team. The middle blocker finished the regular season No. 30 among DII players in hitting percentage and was top six among NSIC players in hitting percentage, points/set, kills/set and total kills.

“Ella is fantastic offensively and does not get cheated on her swings,” said Braegelmann. “She is very intense on the volleyball court and has grown in her knowledge of the game. Her energy on the court is contagious.”

Last season, Berran became the first setter in program history to become a multiple time All-American and became just the fourth player in program history to be named an All-American in more than one season. She was also named to the All-Central Region First Team by the AVCA. Additionally, the Inver Grove Heights product was a First Team All-NSIC pick and was selected to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team, the NSIC Tournament All-Tournament Team and the Yotes Classic Showdown All-Tournament Team. She currently ranks No. 4 in career assists in program history and became the first player in SCSU Volleyball history to surpass 1,000 assists in each of her first three seasons. She finished the regular season No. 6 in assists/set and No. 7 in total assists among DII players while ranking second in both assists/set and total assists among NSIC players this season.

In addition to the two All-Americans, SCSU returns Second Team All-NSIC Selection and NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team member, junior middle blocker Hannah Bruskiewicz (Rogers, Minn.), NSIC All-Tournament Team pick, junior outside hitter Shelby Kimm (North Liberty, Iowa) and 2023 First Team All-NSIC Selection, graduate student middle blocker Sam Zimmerman (Moorhead, Minn.). The Huskies also return a pair of defensive specialists who played in 95+ of the team’s 113 sets last season in senior Emily Kern (Belgrade, Minn.) and junior Annika Forbes (Cottage Grove, Minn.).

For all the latest on St. Cloud State Volleyball, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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Sports

Wisconsin volleyball vs Kentucky score today: Final Four live updates

Published

37 minutes ago

December 19, 2025

Your Sports Nation

10:35 pm CT

Wisconsin calls last timeout while in 11-7 deficit

John Steppe

Wisconsin has showed some more life lately, but the Badgers still are in a deep hole here. Kentucky has an 11-7 lead. The Wildcats are hitting .500 in the set while the Badgers are hitting .200.

10:31 pm CT

Kentucky goes on 7-1 scoring run as teams switch sides

John Steppe

Wisconsin is in quite the hole here, trailing 8-2 as the teams switch sides halfway through the fifth set. UK has five kills on five total attacks.

10:27 pm CT

Wisconsin falls into 4-1 deficit in fifth set

John Steppe

Kentucky has all the momentum here in the fifth set, jumping to a 4-1 lead with four straight points. Wisconsin has called a timeout. UW has a short runway for another resurgence like what it had in the fourth set against Texas.

10:22 pm CT

Wisconsin vs Kentucky stats comparison through four sets

John Steppe

Hitting percentage: Wisconsin .382, Kentucky .231
Kills: Wisconsin 67, Kentucky 54
Attack errors: Wisconsin 15, Kentucky 20
Service errors: Kentucky 8, Wisconsin 13
Blocks: Wisconsin 10, Kentucky 7

10:20 pm CT

Kentucky takes fourth set vs. Wisconsin, 26-24; Final Four match heading to fifth set

John Steppe

This one is heading to five sets.

Kentucky won the fourth, 26-24, with a block by Kassie O’Brien and Kennedy Washington. The Badgers fought off three UK set points before the Wildcats ultimately prevailed.

Mimi Colyer leads Wisconsin with 29 kills. Eva Hudson leads Kentucky with 23 kills. You can see why each of them are finalists for national player of the year.

10:13 pm CT

Wisconsin calls timeout while trailing 23-21 in fourth set

John Steppe

Wisconsin has called its second timeout of the fourth set after Brooklyn DeLeye’s 11th kill pushed Kentucky’s lead to 23-21. For how one-sided the first set was, the sellout crowd at T-Mobile Center has been treated to some high-level volleyball in the three sets since.

10:07 pm CT

Kentucky pushes lead to 20-17 in fourth set, Wisconsin calls timeout

John Steppe

Kentucky has taken three of the last four points. (Two of the points were on Eva Hudson kills.) Wisconsin has called a timeout as the Badgers are in a 20-17 deficit in the fourth set. Hudson is up to 20 kills against the Badgers while hitting .390.

10:00 pm CT

Mimi Colyer’s 26 kills are most by Badger in NCAA tournament match in current scoring era

John Steppe

AVCA national player of the year finalist Mimi Colyer already has 26 kills. That’s the most by a Badger in an NCAA tournament match in the 25-point rally scoring era, which dates back to 2008. With five attack errors, she is hitting .429 against the Wildcats.

Kentucky has a 15-13 lead in the fourth set.

9:58 pm CT

Kentucky takes 13-12 lead in fourth set

John Steppe

Kentucky has won three straight points and taken a 13-12 lead in the fourth set. UW is hitting .312 so far in the set.

9:41 pm CT

Wisconsin finishes third set on 3-0 scoring run, takes 2-1 set lead

John Steppe

Wisconsin ended the third set on a 3-0 scoring run, which started with a successful challenge UW call and another close play that UK opted not to challenge. The Badgers now have a 2-1 set lead going into the fourth set.

Mimi Colyer is up to 22 kills. Carter Booth has 14 kills.

9:39 pm CT

Kentucky calls timeout ahead of Wisconsin’s set point in third set

John Steppe

Wisconsin has a 24-21 lead in the third set after a Lizzie Carr attack error. Craig Skinner contemplated challenging that, but instead opted to take a timeout.

9:33 pm CT

Wisconsin has narrow 21-20 lead in third set

John Steppe

Wisconsin’s once-comfortable lead in the third set feels a little less comfortable. Kentucky has gone on a 3-0 scoring run to shrink UW’s lead to 21-20. UK is hitting .438 in this set and only has one attack error.

9:20 pm CT

Wisconsin goes on 3-0 scoring run, expands lead to 12-7

John Steppe

Wisconsin has gone on a 3-0 scoring run and expanded its lead to 12-7 in what could be a pivotal third set. The Badgers have 11 kills and only one attack error so far in the set.

Mimi Colyer is responsible for seven of those 11 kills. The AVCA national player of the year finalist is up to 17 kills tonight.

9:18 pm CT

Kristen Simon gets attention from athletic trainer, but stays in match after Wisconsin timeout

John Steppe

Wisconsin libero Kristen Simon appeared to be in pain after diving for a ball. Wisconsin called a timeout, and she got attention from the athletic trainer. Kentucky served to her on the next rally, and she had no issues digging it. It eventually led to Mimi Colyer’s 16th kill of the night.

Wisconsin is up, 9-6, in the third set.

9:06 pm CT

Wisconsin vs Kentucky stats comparison through two sets

John Steppe

Hitting percentage: Wisconsin .404, Kentucky .149
Kills: Wisconsin 29, Kentucky 22
Attack errors: Wisconsin 6, Kentucky 12
Service aces: Wisconsin 0, Kentucky 0
Service errors: Kentucky 5, Wisconsin 9
Blocks: Wisconsin 7, Kentucky 3

9:00 pm CT

Kentucky goes on 7-2 scoring run, takes second set vs Wisconsin

John Steppe

Kentucky has evened the match at 1-1, going on a 7-2 scoring run to win the second set 25-22. There were a lot of things that the Badgers may wish they could have back in the second set.

Carter Booth leads Wisconsin with 12 kills while hitting .786. Mimi Colyer has 10 kills while hitting .318.

8:55 pm CT

Kentucky takes 21-20 lead in second set, Wisconsin calls timeout

John Steppe

Kentucky is on a 3-0 scoring run and now has a 21-20 lead in the second set. Wisconsin’s Kelly Sheffield has called his second timeout of the set. The Badgers are hitting .250 in this set. The real culprit has been the six service errors in the set.

8:45 pm CT

Wisconsin, Kentucky go back and forth in second set

John Steppe

Kentucky had a nice 5-2 lead to start the second set, but the Badgers did not take long to claw back and take a 10-9 lead. It’s been back and forth since. There have been seven ties and one lead change in this set after there weren’t any of either in the first set.

Wisconsin is hitting .421 in this set, but the Badgers’ six service errors in this set have been costly.

Score: Wisconsin 15, Kentucky 14 (second set; Wisconsin leads, 1-0)

8:30 pm CT

Wisconsin vs. Kentucky stats comparison after first set

John Steppe

Hitting percentage: Wisconsin .682, Kentucky .056
Kills: Wisconsin 15, Kentucky 9
Attack errors: Kentucky 7, Wisconsin 0
Digs: Wisconsin 17, Kentucky 5
Blocks: Wisconsin 3, Kentucky 0
Side-out percentage: Wisconsin 100%, Kentucky 50%

8:27 pm CT

Wisconsin completely dominates first set, winning 25-12

John Steppe

Wisconsin had an unbelievably good first set, making a Kentucky team that has not lost since mid-September look silly. UW had a .682-.056 advantage in hitting percentage. Mimi Colyer and Carter Booth each had seven kills without any attack errors.

The Badgers sided out 100% of the time in the set.

8:17 pm CT

Wisconsin’s lead is up to 15-6, Kentucky calls another timeout

John Steppe

Wisconsin continues to hit perfectly, with 10 kills on 10 total attacks. Mimi Colyer has five kills, Carter Booth has four and Una Vajagic has one.

Kentucky is totally out of sorts here. Kassie O’Brien essentially had a set that went to nobody, falling to the ground and prompting another UK timeout.

8:09 pm CT

Wisconsin jumps to 8-2 lead, Kentucky calls timeout

John Steppe

Wisconsin has been stellar to start this one. The Badgers have seven kills on seven total attacks and own an early 8-2 lead. (Carter Booth has four of those kills, and Mimi Colyer has the other three.) Kentucky’s Craig Skinner has seen enough and called a timeout. The Wildcats are hitting .333 with two kills on six total attacks.

8:00 pm CT

Wisconsin starters vs. Kentucky in Final Four

John Steppe

Una Vajagic
Kristen Simon
Mimi Colyer
Alicia Andrew
Charlie Fuerbringer
Grace Egan
Carter Booth

7:48 pm CT

Wisconsin goes with black alternate uniforms again vs. Kentucky

John Steppe

Wisconsin is wearing the same black uniforms that it wore in the previous two rounds. The Badgers are 3-0 this season in these uniforms.

7:35 pm CT

When will Wisconsin-Kentucky match begin?

John Steppe

The official start time for the Wisconsin-Kentucky match will be at 8:03 p.m. CT.

7:24 pm CT

Texas A&M sweeps Pittsburgh in three sets

John Steppe

Texas A&M will await the winner of the Wisconsin-Kentucky match after sweeping Pittsburgh, 29-27, 25-21, 25-20. We’ll see soon whether another No. 3 seed can defeat a No. 1 seed.

Kyndal Stowers led the Aggies with 16 kills while hitting .433. Logan Lednicky had 14 kills.

7:20 pm CT

Pregame reads, video from Journal Sentinel

John Steppe

7:05 pm CT

Pittsburgh-Texas A&M Final Four match is in third set

John Steppe

The Pittsburgh-Texas A&M match is in the third set. The Aggies have a 2-0 set lead, but the Panthers have a 10-9 lead in this set. The Wisconsin-Kentucky match will start 30 minutes after this one ends.

6:55 pm CT

Where did Kentucky rank ahead of NCAA tournament?

John Steppe

AVCA coaches poll: No. 2
RPI: No. 3
KPI: No. 3

6:41 pm CT

Wisconsin vs Kentucky stats comparison

John Steppe

Hitting percentage: Wisconsin .325, Kentucky .295
Opponents’ hitting percentage: Kentucky .180, Wisconsin .184
Kills per set: Wisconsin 15.16, Kentucky 14.95
Assists per set: Wisconsin 14.26, Kentucky 13.93
Aces per set: Wisconsin 1.49, Kentucky 1.23
Blocks per set: Kentucky 2.47, Wisconsin 2.43

6:20 pm CT

What is Wisconsin’s all-time record against Kentucky?

John Steppe

Wisconsin is 4-4 in program history against Kentucky and 2-0 in the Kelly Sheffield era. Here are the previous results:

Sept. 9, 2022: Three-set win in Lexington
Sept. 10, 2021: Four-set win in Madison
Aug. 30, 2008: Three-set win in Lexington
Sept. 11, 1992: Four-set loss in Madison
Aug. 31, 1991: Three-set win in Lexington
Nov. 11, 1988: Three-set loss in Lexington
Nov. 8, 1986: Three-set loss in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Sept. 23, 1978: Two-set loss in Normal, Illinois

6:00 pm CT

Wisconsin volleyball likely starters vs. Kentucky, other key players on roster

John Steppe

The starting lineups won’t be announced until much closer to the start of the match, but these are the most likely starters for the Badgers against Kentucky:

Outside hitter Una Vajagic
Outside hitter Mimi Colyer
Middle blocker Alicia Andrew
Setter Charlie Fuerbringer
Right-side hitter Grace Egan
Middle blocker Carter Booth
Libero Kristen Simon

The following players came in as reserves in either of the previous two rounds:

Addy Horner
Trinity Shadd-Ceres
Natalie Wardlow

5:58 pm CT

When will Wisconsin-Kentucky Final Four match start?

John Steppe

The Wisconsin-Kentucky national semifinal match will begin roughly 30 minutes after the conclusion of the Texas A&M-Pittsburgh match, which is currently going on.

The NCAA website lists an 8 p.m. estimated start time, but that is just an estimate.

5:30 pm CT

NCAA volleyball Final Four bracket

John Steppe

National semifinals:

No. 1-seeded Pittsburgh vs. No. 3-seeded Texas A&M (Dec. 18 at 5:30 p.m. CT)
No. 1-seeded Kentucky vs. No. 3-seeded Wisconsin (Dec. 18, 30 minutes after Pittsburgh-Texas A&M match)

National championship:

Winner of Pittsburgh-Texas A&M match vs. winner of Kentucky-Wisconsin match (Sunday, Dec. 21, at 2:30 p.m. CT)

5:11 pm CT

How to listen to Wisconsin-Kentucky Final Four match on radio

John Steppe

620 WTMJ-AM in Milwaukee, 100.5 WTLX-FM in Madison, 1430 WBEV-AM in Beaver Dam and the Badger Radio Network.

5:10 pm CT

How to watch Wisconsin vs. Kentucky NCAA Final Four match

John Steppe

Link

Sports

Kentucky volleyball live score updates and highlights vs Wisconsin

Published

53 minutes ago

December 19, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Updated Dec. 18, 2025, 11:20 p.m. ET

The Kentucky Wildcats volleyball team is in the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament after beating Creighton, and will face the Wisconsin Badgers tonight to move on to the championship match. Coach Craig Skinner’s squad is looking to win it all for the second time in school history.

Brooklyn DeLeye and Eva Hudson are the big hitters on the Wildcats roster, and are the last two SEC Players of the Year. They both have the ability to take over a match, and make life difficult for opposing defenses.

Lizzie Carr has also been terrific so far in this tournament run. She is a great defender, but can also use her 6’6″ frame to get kills from the middle. Kassie O’Brien is the one primarily setting up her teammates, and is one of the best freshmen in the country. Molly Tuozzo, meanwhile, is the heart of the team, and has had some huge digs in the postseason.

Stream Kentucky vs Wisconsin (Free trial available)

Players like Kennedy Washington and Asia Thigpen are also important to their success, and will likely get their chance to shine tonight.

It will be a huge match, and one Big Blue Nation will be ready for. Follow along here for live updates and highlights throughout the match.

Kentucky takes set four

The Wildcats and Badgers will go to a deciding set five after the Wildcats take set four 26-24.

Brooklyn DeLeye attack error ties it again

Kentucky had three set points, but couldn’t get it done, and it’s 24-24.

More Kentucky errors

The Wildcats continue to make uncharacteristic errors, and Wisconsin takes advantage. It’s 22-21 Wildcats.

Eva Hudson kill

Hudson gives Kentucky a 19-16 lead in the fourth set.

Wisconsin playing flawlessly

The Badgers are setting up their hitters at a near-perfect rate, and it’s giving them so many easy kills.

Wisconsin’s defense is too good

Another block for the Badgers, their 10th of the match, ties it up at 13 in the fourth set.

Lizzie Carr ties it up

It’s 12-12 after Carr gets a kill.

Kentucky caught sleeping

Wisconsin just tosses it over the net and the Wildcats defenders weren’t ready. It’s 11-9 Badgers.

Brooklyn DeLeye block

After Wisconsin scored four straight, the Wildcats bounce back and tie it at 6.

Wisconsin ties it up

Back to back points for the Badgers makes it 4-4.

Asia Thigpen gets a kill

It’s 4-2 Wildcats after Thigpen gets another nice kill.

Eva Hudson scores first in set four

She gets another kill to open up the must-win set for Kentucky.

Wisconsin wins set three

The Badgers take set three 25-21 and take a 2-1 lead in the match.

Lizzie Carr attack error gives Wisconsin set point

It’s 24-21 after the Carr miss. Kentucky calls a timeout.

A missed Kentucky set results in another point

The Wildcats have struggled all night with sets and another poor set gives a point to the Badgers. It’s 22-20.

Asia Thigpen kill

The Wildcats cut the lead to 20-19 after Thigpen smashes one home. Wisconsin calls timeout.

Kentucky needs a run

They trail 20-17 late in the third set.

Brooklyn DeLeye ends a long rally

Another long rally ends with a DeLeye kill, and it’s 17-15 Wisconsin.

Eva Hudson continues to score points

Hudson is playing well, but errors plague the Wildcats. It’s 15-10 Wisconsin after a Kentucky service error.

Wisconsin pulling ahead

The Badgers have gotten their offense set too easily, and now the Cats trail 12-7 in set three. They call timeout.

Wisconsin defense dominating the match

Another terrific dig by the Badgers and they convert to take a 8-5 lead in the third set.

More Kentucky missed hits

The Wildcats passing hasn’t been good enough so far, and it’s leading to easy points for Wisconsin.

Wisconsin continues to dig out kills

The Badgers are doing a fantastic job at digging out some big kill attempts and turning them into point.

Kennedy Washington gets a kill

It’s 2-2 top open up the third set.

Highlight: Eva Hudson ends set two

Eva Hudson closes out set two

Kentucky takes the second set 25-22 with a strong finish.

Kentucky scores six straight

The Cats led 24-20.

Eva Hudson heating up

Back to back kills by Hudson has the Wildcats up 23-20.

Kentucky evens it up

A Wisconsin kill attempt goes wide and it’s tied at 20 in set two.

Brooklyn DeLeye block

DeLeye gets a big block to make it 18-17 Wisconsin.

Kentucky wins a long rally

It has been a struggle for the Wildcats, but they win a long rally here to get to within a point. Wisconsin calls a timeout.

Wisconsin’s defense is terrific

They get another block, and lead 16-14 now.

The point is reversed

Kentucky loses the point, and Wisconsin leads 15-14.

Kentucky wins a long rally

Kentucky finally gets a block to get the point and take the lead back 15-14.

Kentucky has no answer for Carter Booth

Wisconsin’s offense is a set to Booth on every point, and she’s not missing. She’s hitting over .750 so far.

A fourth service error for the Cats

Serving issues were a problem early in the season, and they have popped back up in this one. It’s 11-10 Badgers.

Wisconsin back to the lead

More Kentucky missed hits have cost them, and the Badgers retake the lead 10-9.

Kentucky has 3rd service error

A service error, then a bad set allows Wisconsin to score back to back points. It’s 8-6 Kentucky.

Eva Hudson gets one down

It’s 5-2 Wildcats after Hudson smashes one through the defense.

Brooklyn DeLeye gets a kill

It’s 2-1 Kentucky to open up set two.

Kentucky errors is set one

Kentucky had 7 attack errors in set one, while Wisconsin had none.

Kentucky dominated in set one

It was, perhaps, the Wildcats’ worst set of the season. Wisconsin recorded a hit percentage of .682 while Kentucky’s was .056. The Badgers win set one 25-12.

Kassie O’Brien struggling so far

O’Brien has been fantastic this season, but she has missed multiple sets so far in this first set.

More errors by Kentucky

A missed set gave Wisconsin one point, then another missed kill attempt gave them another. It’s 15-6 Badgers in set one.

Another service error for Kentucky

That’s two already, and they Wildcats is now 10-3.

Another big defensive play by Wisconsin

It’s now 9-2 Badgers as they are winning in every phase of the match so far.

It’s domination for Wisconsin so far

Kentucky has to call a timeout early. They haven’t been able to set up their offense so far, and they’re missing a lot of their hits. It’s 8-2 Wisconsin.

Kentucky struggling early on

A service error and a missed set have the Wildcats down 6-2 early in set one.

Brooklyn DeLeye gets the Cats on the board

Wisconsin opened up with three straight points before DeLeye got her first kill. It’s 3-1 Badgers.

Kentucky opens with a service error

Molly Tuozzo serves it into the net to start the match, and the Wildcats trail.

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Toledo Announces Signing of Three Transfers

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1 hour ago

December 19, 2025

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TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo women’s volleyball head coach Brian Wright announced the signings of Maddy Bach, Janelle Green and Ava Siefke to the program as transfers on Thursday. All three will join the Rockets in the Spring 2026 semester.

Bach comes to Toledo following a year at Memphis, Green heads to the Glass City from Cincinnati, while Siefke joins the Rockets after spending the past three seasons at Eastern Michigan.

“I’m extremely excited to add these amazing young women to our program,” said Wright. “Each are extremely competitive and highly talented players that will be ready to work hard and be great learners starting in January. Each of them instantly connected with our current team on their visits and fully believe in the program’s goals of striving for championships while giving their best to a team, university and city that supports women’s sports. I am excited for this city to get to know each of them. I’m confident if you get to know them, you will want to support them.”

The following is a look at the three transfer student-athletes:

Maddy Bach | Sophomore | 5-9 | Setter | Chesterfield, Mo. | Parkway West HS | Memphis

Bach appeared in all 31 matches throughout her freshman season at Memphis, totaling 681 assists and dishing out 6.61 assists/set. Bach set a career best with 58 assists against Chattanooga and totaled 164 total digs on the season. In high school, Bach was named a 2024 AVCA All-American Honorable Mention and ACVA All-Region honoree, helped Parkway West to an NSHSAA Class 4 District 2 Championship in 2023 and set the school record for career assists with 2,939. She also won the 2022 GJNC National Championship with USA Volleyball and took second in the 2025 Florida Fest USAV National Qualifier.

Brian Wright on Bach: “Maddy is an extremely hard working and high achieving student-athlete. Her experience setting this past season plus her willingness to train hard this spring makes her future as a Rocket very exciting. I am looking forward to having her in Toledo and seeing her get straight to work with the rest of the team in January.”

Bach on Toledo: “I chose the University of Toledo because as soon as I went on campus it felt like home. I was impressed by the passion of the coaches and players. I love the great culture and strong support from the Toledo community. I am very excited to be part of such a special program.”

Janelle Green | Redshirt Sophomore | 5-10 | Setter | Leawood, Kan. | Blue Valley North HS | Cincinnati

Green saw action in 15 sets across eight matches throughout her time at Cincinnati, totaling 44 assists and 12 digs. Green fired off 12 assists in a win over Texas Tech (11/14/25) and two service aces against Wake Forest (8/29/25). While at Blue Valley North HS, Green was named a 2023 AVCA All-American Honorable Mention and was a three-time All-State Tournament Team and All-Conference First Team selection. She was the No. 1 ranked setter out of Kansas and No. 11 nationally ranked by Prep Dig. Bach won the 2021 6A State Championship and was named a Prep Volleyball 2024 18U Club All-American.

Brian Wright on Green: “Janelle has both a highly competitive drive and desire to connect with others. Her upbringing and determination to be great at everything she does mixed with her ability to build strong connections with her teammates puts her in a spot to have major growth in the gym this spring and also make a big impact on the growth of those around her. I am so excited to get her in the gym and have her get started with the rest of this group in January.”

Green on Toledo: “I chose Toledo because my goals and visions aligned with those of the coaches and the program. The girls on the team were very welcoming, and I felt like it was the perfect fit for me. It’s exciting to see how the city rallies around volleyball, and I can’t wait to see how much more it grows over the next few years. This is a special place, and I am excited to be a part of it!”

Ava Siefke | Senior | 6-1 | Outside Hitter | Cincinnati, Ohio | Saint Ursula Academy | Eastern Michigan

Siefke has appeared in 324 sets across 91 matches at Eastern Michigan, totaling 774 kills, 715 digs, 129 total blocks and 79 service aces. The Cincinnati, Ohio native led the Eagles on offense during the 2025 season and ranked third in the MAC, averaging 3.28 kills/set. Siefke tallied 23 matches with double-figure kills and set a career high with 22 terminations against Bowling Green (10/3/25). She chipped in 2.65 digs/set and led the team with 35 service aces (0.29 aces/set). During her time at Saint Ursula Academy, she was a Girls Greater Catholic League (GGCL) Second Team honoree and earned all-district third team accolades. She was also the runner-up in the 17-American at USA Nationals in 2021.

Brian Wright on Siefke: “From the moment I met Ava, I knew she fit with everything we stand for on and off the court. On the volleyball side, having played the past 3 seasons in the MAC, she brings the experience and leadership of what it takes every single day to be great. Her growth from each season to the next shows that she is a great learner. We are excited to help her continue that growth and have the best possible end to her career.”

Siefke on Toledo: “I really like the culture and how Coach Brian was talking about the program. He has big plans for the program and wants to see his team succeed at the highest level possible. People in Toledo really care about women’s sports and that is something super special about the university.”

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Kentucky volleyball vs. Wisconsin live updates: Score, highlights

Published

1 hour ago

December 19, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Updated Dec. 18, 2025, 10:47 p.m. ET

No. 1 seed Kentucky women’s volleyball will face No. 3 seed Wisconsin in the second national semifinal at the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament on Thursday at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

The matchup features two 2025 AVCA Player of the Year finalists. Kentucky outside hitter Eva Hudson is up for the award, after hitting .317 with 4.54 kills per set this season, as is veteran senior outside hitter Mimi Colyer with 20 or more kills in nine matches this season.

Both teams have won a national championship in the past five years. Wisconsin won its first title in program history in 2021, while Kentucky hoisted its only NCAA national championship trophy in 2020.

Follow along as USA TODAY Sports provides live updates and highlights of the Final Four matchup:

NCAA volleyball tournament score: Wisconsin 2, Kentucky 1

3rd set: Wisconsin 25, Kentucky 21

Wisconsin is back on top after winning the first set, 25-21. The Badgers ended the set on a 3-0 run.

The Badgers hit .386 in the third set, compared to .333 for Kentucky. Mimi Coyler leads Wisconsin with 22 kills on .395 hitting, while Carter Booth has tied her career-high with 14 kills and three blocks.

Kentucky’s Eva Hudson has 14 kills on .344 hitting, while Brooklyn Deleye added nine kills on .194 hitting.

2nd set: Kentucky 25, Wisconsin 22

Wisconsin dominated the first set, but Kentucky made some adjustments and came alive in the second set.

Kentucky jumped to a 7-4 lead over Wisconsin in the second, but the gritty Badgers surged mid-set to retake the lead, 20-18. Kentucky went on a 6-0 run to earn a set point, and despite Wisconsin fighting off two set points, Eva Hudson cashed in on the third set point to even it a set apiece.

“We just got some breaks and we executed the serving,” Kentucky head coach Craig Skinner said, adding that his team needs to serve tougher to get Wisconsin off the net. “The serve has got to pick up and our transition game has got to score some points.”

Wisconsin’s Carter Booth recorded 12 kills hitting .786 and Mimi Colyer added 10 kills on .318 hitting.

Kentucky’s Hudson is up to nine kills hitting .389.

1st set final: Wisconsin 25, Kentucky 12

The first set belonged to Wisconsin’s Carter Booth. The senior middle blocker recorded seven kills and two blocks hitting 1.000 in the Badgers’ 22-12 first set win. Mimi Colyer added seven kills.

Wisconsin hit .682 in the first set and held Kentucky to .056 hitting.

1st set: Wisconsin 10, Kentucky 3

Wisconsin came out red hot and jumped to a 10-3 lead after Carter Booth (5) and Mimi Colyer (3) combined for seven kills to start the first set. The Badgers are hitting 1.000 to start.

Carter Booth height

Wisconsin senior middle blocker Carter Booth is listed at 6-foot-7.

When is Kentucky vs. Wisconsin volleyball?

The second semifinal matchup between No. 1 Kentucky (29-2)and Wisconsin (28-4) will take place 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first semifinal between No. 1 Pitt and No. 3 Texas A&M on Thursday, Dec. 18 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

Kentucky vs. Wisconsin volleyball: Channel, streaming

Date: Thursday, Dec. 18
Time: 9:00 p.m. ET (8:00 p.m. CT)
Location: T-Mobile Center (Kansas City, Missouri)
Channel: ESPN
Stream: The ESPN App, Fubo

Kentucky Wildcats starting lineup

Head coach: Craig Skinner

6 Kassie O’Brien | S 6-1 – Freshman
7 Eva Hudson | OH 6-1 – Senior
10 Kennedy Washington | MB 6-0 – Sophomore
11 Molly Berezowitz | DS 5-5 – Junior
12 Molly Tuozzo | L 5-7 – Junior
15 Lizzie Carr | MB 6-6 – Redshirt Junior
17 Brooklyn DeLeye | OH 6-2 – Junior

Eva Hudson stats

The 6-1 senior outside hitter was named the SEC Player of the Year after hitting .317 with 4.54 kills per set and 504 total kills on the year. She leads Kentucky’s offense, which is hitting .295 this year.

Brooklyn DeLeye stats

The 6-2 junior outside hitter is averaging 4.69 kills per set and hitting .289 with a team-high 521 kills this year. DeLeye is responsible for more than 564.5 points this year.

Kassie O’Brien wins AVCA Freshman of the Year

Kentucky setter Kassie O’Brien was named the 2025 AVCA Freshman of the Year, the first Wildcat to win the award, after averaging 11.02 assists per set this season.

Wisconsin Badgers starting lineup

Head coach: Kelly Sheffield

1 Una Vajagic | OH 6-0 – Redshirt Sophomore
7 Kristen Simon | L 5-8 – Freshman
15 Mimi Colyer | OH 6-3 – Senior
17 Alicia Andrew | MB 6-3 – Redshirt Senior
24 Charlie Fuerbringer | S 5-11 – Sophomore
32 Grace Egan | RS 6-1 – Redshirt Sophomore
52 Carter Booth | MB 6-7 – Senior

Mimi Colyer stats

The 6-3 senior outside hitter had 20 or more kills in nine matches this season, including 23 kills vs. No. 1 Texas in the Elite Eight and 27 kills vs. No. 2 Stanford in the Round of 16. She averages 5.39 kills per set.

Wisconsin volleyball arrives at T-Mobile Center

Kentucky volleyball arrives at T-Mobile Center

NCAA volleyball player of the year finalists

The 2025 AVCA Player of the Year shortlist was narrowed to four finalists on Monday: Pitt junior right side hitter Olivia Babcock, Wisconsin senior outside hitter Mimi Colyer, Kentucky senior outside hitter Eva Hudson and Nebraska junior setter Bergen Reilly.

NCAA volleyball transfer portal 2026

The 2025 NCAA women’s college volleyball tournament is down to the Final Four with Kentucky, Pittsburgh, Wisconsin and Texas A&Madvancing to the semifinals, but it’s never too early to look ahead to next season.

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KWHS senior Emma Hager signs to Black Hills State for volleyball, track and field

Published

2 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Your Sports Nation

CASPER, Wyo. –– Emma Hager is not a fan of public speaking. The Kelly Walsh High School senior held a ceremony on Wednesday to announce her signing with Black Hills State University, where she will compete in both volleyball and track and field. After signing her ceremonial letter of commitment, Hager took questions from media, and she laughed nervously throughout the entire Q&A session.

Luckily, she was not alone. The room at KW was full of friends, family and fellow athletes — all of whom gathered to show their support for her.

When asked what it meant to her to see such a large crowd, all gathered to support her, she said that “It’s great. It’s kind of scary, but it’s great.” The crowd laughed with her as she spoke about her decision to sign with Black Hills State, what she was most looking forward to in the coming years, and more.

Hager, a 6-foot-0 athlete who will graduate in 2026, is planning to major in Exercise Science at BHS, with the goal of eventually going to graduate school and becoming a physical therapist.

She stated that she was just “looking for something new” with her college decision, which is exactly what she will get at Black Hills State.

She said that it was the coaches at Black Hills State that first drew her interest, and she’s looking forward to being a part of the team as a freshman. She said she met a few of the team’s current players and she felt a good kind of chemistry with them.

Hager, who was there with her entire family, said another big reason why she chose Black Hills State was because it was still within driving distance of her home.

She also spoke about being a dual-athlete at BSU, noting that volleyball was her first love but that she’s just as enthralled with track and field.

“I’ve always loved volleyball,” she said, “ever since I first started playing. And track — I didn’t want to like, give it up after only doing it for a year. I wanted to keep doing both of those.”

So she will. Hager competes in long jump and said that her longest jump was 5 feet, 5 inches. Though track and field is her new passion, volleyball will always hold a special place in her heart. She said that she started playing volleyball in fourth grade and acknowledged that it will always remain her first love.

Hager said her teammates are her favorite part of playing volleyball.

“I really enjoyed playing with them this year,” she said. “I feel like I was able to build some really good relationships with them. I was able to build much closer relationships with the girls on my team than I have in any of the other years. So that was really awesome.”

Many of those friends were at her signing, an, after she signed the letter of commitment, a handful of friends and family members gathered to take pictures with the star athlete.

Hager answered a few more questions, smiling and giggling the whole time. When she was asked what message, if any, she would give to all of her supporters, she took a minute to think and then “phoned a friend.”

“Abby,” she pleaded with one of her nearby friends. “If I could tell everyone one thing, what would it be?”

“What would you tell us?” Abby responded.

“Yeehaw,” Hager said with a smile. “I love you all.”

Photos from the signing ceremony can be seen below:

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No. 3 Volleyball Earns Spot in National Title Match with Sweep of No. 1 Pitt – Texas A&M Athletics

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2 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Your Sports Nation

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The most successful season in Texas A&M volleyball history continues following the No. 3-seed Aggies’ sweep of No. 1-seed Pitt, 3-0 (29-27, 25-21, 25-20), in Thursday’s NCAA Championship semifinal match inside the T-Mobile Center.
The Aggies became just the third No. 3 seed in NCAA Tournament history to dispatch of two No. 1 seeds joining UCLA in 2011 and Nebraska in 2021.

A&M will face either Wisconsin or Kentucky in Sunday’s national championship match (2:30 p.m., ABC).

More to come.

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