Huskies Close But Can’t Close Against No. 6 ‘Cats

Saturday, September 20

Lexington, Ky.

10:00 AM

University of Washington

5-5,0-0Big Ten

Kentucky

7-2,0-0SEC

Washington

Kentucky

September 20, 2025 | Volleyball

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By: UW Athletic Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Washington Volleyball created opportunities for itself on the road against a top-10 Kentucky squad, but couldn't convert those chances when they came, and suffered a very tight straight set loss, 23-25, 25-27, 21-25 at Memorial Coliseum. The Huskies will head into Big Ten play next week with a 5-5 overall record.

Washington led the sixth-ranked Wildcats, 20-14, in the first set, before surrendering an 8-1 Kentucky run to come up short. The Huskies went right back to work and built another late lead in set two, going up 23-20, but once again Kentucky rallied and won the second set in extra points. The third set was close as well, with UW within one point late at 17-18, but Kentucky closed stronger once again.

The Huskies held most of the Wildcats in check, with one extreme exception. They could not contain Eva Hudson, who piled up 28 kills in just three sets, hitting .481. Overall, Kentucky hit .271 while the Huskies hit .198. Kentucky led in kills (54-41) and aces (5-4) and digs (60-51) and the teams had 8 blocks apiece.

Alexa Markley led the Huskies with 12 kills, hitting .242. Julia Hunt, a Kentucky native, had eight kills on a .375 attack percentage with three blocks and one ace. Kierstyn Barton also had 11 kills and Simona Mateska had eight. Alexis Haury had a double-double with 35 assists and 12 digs. Zoria Heard also had 12 digs and served two aces.

Up Next: The Huskies stay on the road to start Big Ten play, visiting 11th-ranked Purdue on Thursday, Sept. 25, airing live on Big Ten Network at 3:30 p.m. Pacific. They then head to Bloomington, Ind. to face Indiana on Sept. 27.