How Eva Hudson and Kentucky are finding joy on brink of national title - ESPN

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Eva Hudson watched as her teammate Kassie O'Brien set the ball toward the left side of the net. Hudson's eyes stayed locked in as she launched her body feet above the ground. Propelling her arm back, the 6-foot-1 Kentucky senior pounded the volleyball over the net.

It's match point in the fifth set of the NCAA women's college volleyball semifinals between No.1 seed Kentucky and No. 3 seed Wisconsin. After winning the second and fourth sets, Kentucky is one point from advancing to the national championship round.

In a packed T-Mobile Center, the sound of Hudson's palm smacking the volleyball echoed on the court. Two Wisconsin defenders rose above the net with their arms ready to block the shot, but Hudson's power was too much for even the best defenders in the country.

The Badgers blocked the shot out of bounds.

Hudson threw her arms up in the air as the cheers from the crowd reverberated throughout the arena. Her Wildcats rushed to meet her at center court. Hudson fell to the ground, alongside her teammates, in celebration.

Hudson's career-high 29 kills secured the Wildcats a spot in the national championship against No. 3 seed Texas A&M. One of the best hitters in the nation, Hudson has been preparing for this moment since the moment she put on the blue and white jersey.

ONE YEAR AGO, after leading the Big Ten in 2024 with 567 kills and 4.81 kills per set, the 20-year-old outside hitter entered the transfer portal following three seasons at Purdue. Kentucky and Hudson announced that she would spend her last year of eligibility as a Wildcat.

Santa came early, and he brought us another Wildcat‼️

Welcome home, Eva Hudson!<a href=«https://twitter.com/evahud12?ref_src=» https:>@evahud12

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