Kentucky Volleyball Draws Enormous Final Four TV Rating

The sport of volleyball can be an anxiety-inducing roller coaster ride. When matches get tight, it’s an exhilarating thrill ride. Big Blue Nation jumped on one with the Kentucky volleyball team at the Final Four, and so did so many others.

ESPN shared that Kentucky’s match against Wisconsin drew an average of 1.1 million viewers. It was the second-most-watched national volleyball semifinal on record. The broadcast peaked at 1.2 million viewers.

Kentucky dug itself into an early hole against the Badgers. The first set of the Final Four match was their worst of the season, only mustering 12 points. During the break, the Cats rediscovered their mojo to even the score, yet it was just the beginning of a back-and-forth affair.

Wisconsin middle Carter Booth was virtually unstoppable, setting a career-high halfway through the second set, ultimately finishing with 21 kills. Kentucky fought fire with fire, as Eva Hudson reeled off 29 kills, while Brooklyn DeLeye chipped in 15 kills, 14 digs, and five blocks.

A game of runs, it went right down to the wire. In the fifth set, Kentucky jumped out to an 8-2 advantage. However, there was no time to celebrate. Wisconsin mounted a furious comeback. Kentucky only led by one when Hudson delivered the match-clinching kill.

Unfortunately, Kentucky could not keep the ball rolling after that epic comeback. The Wildcats jumped out to an early lead over Texas A&M in the first set, but could not close the door on the Aggies. After the first set, it was all Texas A&M. The Cats’ season ended in a loss, but they’ll be hanging a National Runner-Up banner next fall.

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