No. 1 Kentucky advances to SEC semifinals

SAVANNAH, Ga. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) -For the first time in two decades, the SEC Volleyball Tournament is back, and the top-seeded wildcats wasted no time reminding the league why they earned the No. 1 seed.

With a double-bye into the quarterfinals, Kentucky opened tournament play today against Auburn on Sunday and swept the tigers in straight sets (25-15, 25-20, 25-22). Kentucky hit an impressive .349 for the match, controlling the tempo from start to finish.

Brooklyn DeLeye led the way with 15 kills, while Eva Hudson added 13 of her own. Lizzie Carr contributed a strong outing as well, recording eight kills on just 15 swings. SEC Freshman of the Year Kassie O’Brien put together a standout performance, notching a double-double with 10 digs and 42 assists on Kentucky’s 46 kills.

With the sweep, the Wildcats advance to the SEC semifinals, where they’ll face the Tennessee Volunteers Monday evening at 6 p.m.