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Kentucky Wildcats vs. Wisconsin Badgers: Season-Opening Volleyball Showdown
The Big Picture
College volleyball is back! To kick off the brand-new season, two of the best teams in the country are facing off right out of the gate. The Kentucky Wildcats and the Wisconsin Badgers will play at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
This isn’t just any match—it’s a rematch of last year’s intense national semifinal.
Important Point: This is the fifth time these two teams have met. Wisconsin won the first two matches, but Kentucky won the most recent one when the stakes were highest: a trip to the national championship.
Flashback: The 2025 National Semifinal
Last season, these teams met in the Final Four. It was an absolute battle that went the distance.
The Score: Kentucky won 3 sets to 2
Set Scores: 12-25, 25-22, 21-25, 26-24, 15-13
Kentucky clawed their way back from tough spots to win the final two sets and punch their ticket to the championship game.
Want to see the action? Watch the highlights from last year’s semifinal here.
Kentucky Wildcats: What’s New?
The Wildcats return a key weapon but lost a record-breaker.
Returning Star
- Brooklyn DeLeye (Senior Outside Hitter)
- She was huge in the last matchup, smashing 15 kills.
- ELI5: A "kill" is when a player hits the ball and the other team can’t return it—point scored!
Major Loss
- Eva Hudson
- She graduated after an incredible season.
- She holds the Kentucky single-season record with 546 kills.
Wisconsin Badgers: A Fresh Look
The Badgers look very different this year. They have a revamped roster (that means a lot of new faces).
The Newcomers
- 9 Freshmen (first-year college players)
- 2 Transfers (players who played for other colleges last year):
- Eva Travis (Senior)
- Jaela Auguste (Junior)
The Veteran Leader
- Charlie Fuerbringer (Setter)
- Earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2025 (one of the best in the conference).
- ELI5: A "setter" is like the quarterback in football. They touch the ball second and decide who gets to hit it.
- In the last game vs. Kentucky, she ran the offense perfectly with a mind-blowing 63 assists.
- ELI5: An "assist" is when the setter passes the ball perfectly to a hitter who scores a kill.
How to Watch
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Matchup | Kentucky Wildcats vs. Wisconsin Badgers |
| Event | 2026 Season Opener |
| Time | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| Channel | ESPN |
| History | 5th meeting overall; Kentucky won last meeting (2025 Semifinal) |
Summary
- Top-tier rematch: Last year’s national semifinalists meet to open the new season.
- Kentucky relies on senior leader Brooklyn DeLeye but must replace record-setter Eva Hudson.
- Wisconsin is rebuilding with 9 freshmen and 2 transfers, led by elite setter Charlie Fuerbringer.
- Tune in: 9 p.m. ET on ESPN to see who starts the year with a statement win.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. What time does the match start?
The first serve is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
2. Where can I watch it?
The match will be broadcast live on ESPN.
3. Who won the last time they played?
Kentucky won the last meeting in the 2025 National Semifinals (3 sets to 2).
4. Who is the best player to watch?
Keep an eye on Charlie Fuerbringer (Wisconsin). She is an All-Conference setter who had 63 assists in the last matchup. For Kentucky, watch Brooklyn DeLeye, who had 15 kills last time.
5. Why does Wisconsin have so many new players?
College teams lose seniors to graduation every year. This year, Wisconsin lost a large group and brought in a big recruiting class (9 freshmen) plus two experienced transfers to reload quickly.