Kentucky’s last game was a thrilling victory over Boston College, with a final score of 83-81. This win ended a five-game losing streak and contributed to the SEC’s success in the ACC / SEC Women’s Basketball Challenge. The game saw 11 ties and 12 lead changes, including a crucial layup by senior guard Eniya Russell in the final seconds to secure the win for the Wildcats.

The excitement continued to build as the Coca-Cola 10 to Tip was broadcast live from the court. Fans eagerly watched as the players warmed up, getting a taste of the intensity that was about to unfold on the court.

The Cardinals are entering the contest with a two-game winning streak after securing victories against New Mexico State and Bellarmine. On the other hand, the Hokies have dropped their last two games against Florida Atlantic and Auburn.

The Cardinals are coming off a three-game win streak, including a 64-58 road win over No. 19/20 Ole Miss in the ACC/SEC Challenge. They managed to overcome a halftime deficit and went on a 7-0 run in the third quarter to secure the win. This game marked the Cardinals’ 37th consecutive win when holding opponents to 59 points or less.

Kentucky’s impressive performance earned them a spot in the regional next week, with the location yet to be determined.

Head coach Dani Busboom Kelly was quick to express her gratitude for the opportunity to host the tournament at the Yum! Center, recognizing the commitment of the university and the impact it has on the sport of volleyball. She praised Western Michigan as a formidable opponent, acknowledging their impressive season and highlighting the skills of their setter Logan Case and libero Andelyn Simkins.

This is a historic moment for Louisville as they have never made it to the title game before. Their impressive 38-31 win over Miami on Nov. 18 secured their spot in the championship game and they finished the conference schedule with an overall record of 7-1, which is their best league record since joining the conference in 2014.

In the team competition, it was Team Gongora, led by transfer Sebastian Gongora, that claimed the top spot. They finished a staggering 85 points ahead of Team Phillips. Team Kilen came in third place, with Team Anderson securing the fourth spot.

One of the standout performances from the Miami game came from Reed Sheppard, a Kentucky native. Coming off the bench, Sheppard put up an impressive 21 points and also made his presence felt with five rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a blocked shot. His performance on Tuesday undoubtedly boosted the team’s morale.

A total of 26 schools and clubs will be participating in the meet, including several universities from Kentucky and the surrounding areas. There will also be representatives from three Power 5 schools – Stanford, Tennessee, and Texas.