More Evidence that Brooklyn DeLeye is a Badass

The mental fortitude of this Kentucky volleyball team is admirable, and that adjective doesn’t carry enough weight. Plenty of casuals around BBN were ready to throw in the towel on Thursday night. The Cats were cooked. It was a great season, but one that ended with a thud.

Idiots.

Craig Skinner has built a gritty team that does not get deterred by a bad run or even a bad set (only 12 points in the opening set of the Final Four? Yikes). No matter the circumstance, they’re ready. Brooklyn DeLeye has dealt with a few unusual circumstances this season and is still dominating.

The Elephant in the Room

We live in a selfish sports climate. Egos lead players to the transfer portal on a regular basis. Brooklyn DeLeye was the SEC Player of the Year in 2024. When Eva Hudson transferred to Kentucky to play the same position, she could’ve said, “Screw this, I want to be the star.”

Hudson has stolen some of the spotlight from DeLeye. The former was the SEC Player of the Year. She’s the one who’s the National Player of the Year Finalist. Hudson was the player everyone was talking about after tallying 29 kills in the Final Four.

DeLeye could take offense to it all. Instead, she’s happy to share the court and find a way to make this team win. While Hudson’s offense excelled, DeLeye’s defense was incredible, tallying a team-high 14 digs and five blocks. She’s willing to do whatever her team needs to win.

“It’s evident by watching her play,” said Craig Skinner. “The thrill that she gets out of someone next to her doing something special, is enormous. Brooklyn has gotten accolades her whole life in every sport that she’s played. She’s been MVPs and state champion and USA MVP and captain. Her accolades speak for themselves, and she’s earned every single one of those.

“But the thrill and joy she gets in seeing other people doing well is so inspirational to them, because they know what type of player she is. She is always about the team.”

DeLeye has Done it All with a Bad Knee

Unlike a quarterback or a point guard, the nice part about volleyball is that you can have two dominant outside hitters share the floor. DeLeye and Hudson are talented enough defenders to play in the back row. Most players only get three rotations before they’re subbed. DeLeye and Hudson never leave the floor.

You know what would make me want to leave the floor? A torn meniscus. That would force most to the sideline indefinitely. Not Brooklyn DeLeye.

Brooklyn DeLeye has played almost the entire season with a torn meniscus. Her father, John, told Topeka’s WIBW that Brooklyn suffered the knee injury against Nebraska in the second match of the season. She’s played every single rotation through pain without anyone knowing that she should’ve been a step slower with a bum knee.

“A lot of people don’t realize it. Think about the numbers she’s putting up being in pain the whole season and what it would be like if she wasn’t in pain this year,” John DeLeye said.

“She didn’t want to get the surgery that would put her out for four weeks. She has a high pain tolerance and she has a high commitment to this team.”

Incredible. She’s an All-American with one good knee who is one win away from a National Championship. Heart. Guts. Badass. Whatever you want to call it, Brooklyn DeLeye has it. Not only is it contagious with her Kentucky teammates, it’s another reason for fans to fall in love with this team.