Kentucky

Not only did Reeves shine, but his teammates also delivered strong performances. Tre Mitchell contributed 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Reed Sheppard had 11 points and a career-high 11 assists, setting a new record for most assists by any player in a Kentucky-Louisville game. Justin Edwards contributed 13 points, and Rob Dillingham added 12 points.

Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White recognizes the talent and versatility of the Clemson offense. He acknowledges the skills of the team’s running backs, stating, “The two running backs are really, really talented players. Their ability to get downhill, their ability in the passing game.” White also commends the cohesion of Clemson’s offensive line and their ability to execute both horizontal and vertical plays effectively.

Both Tyler and Rowe thrived in their new roles, contributing to Kentucky’s dominant 75-45 victory at Rupp Arena. Tyler had a career-high 17 points, leading the team, while Rowe also had a career-high in points with seven and in rebounds with five. In addition, Rowe showcased her versatility with two assists, a blocked shot, and a steal.

“It’s kind of ironic to see them again,” Leary said about facing Clemson. “They’re a great team. We know it’s going to be a good challenge. It’s up to us to prepare during this time and make sure that we’re ready to take them on.”

“We are super excited about adding Diego to our staff here in Louisville,” said da Silva. “Not only has he been an excellent player on the court, but he’s done really well in his transition into coaching. He’s an exciting young coach who is going to bring a lot of energy and passion to the team.”

The season will start off with a bang as the Wildcats play three consecutive matches at the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Center. They will be hosting ETSU and Miami (Ohio) for a doubleheader on January 14, followed by a match against Penn State on January 20.

In fact, over the past six seasons, the Cardinals have only lost two games in December and have won their last eight games in the month dating back to last season. Against nonconference opponents, Louisville has an impressive record of 183-34 in regular season play under Walz. Their dominance extends further, as they have an 85-11 record in non-conference play over the past eight years.

The game began with a tight first half, featuring five lead changes and six ties. Going into the second half, Louisville held a narrow one-point lead. However, in the third quarter, Kentucky briefly took the lead by three points. The Cardinals, though, quickly responded with a late 14-2 run, giving them a comfortable nine-point lead.

DeLeye’s impressive statistics speak for themselves, with an average of 71 kills per set, earning her the title of SEC Freshman of the Year. Alongside her, teammates Eleanor Beavin, Emma Grome, Reagan Rutherford, and Azhani Tealer have also been recognized for their outstanding performances. This talented group of players has earned spots on the AVCA’s All-Southeast Region Team, which is comprised of teams from the SEC, Atlantic Sun, Big South, Southern Conference, SWAC, and Sun Belt.

Director of track & field and cross country, Joe Franklin, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “It was a very good season opener…shows the progress they’ve made in their training.”