Kentucky Volleyeball Takes The Bluegrass Battle This Weekend

Kentucky Volleyball opens the newly renovated Historic Memorial Coliseum in style, with a Bluegrass Battle weekend win.

Jay Jacobs Published: September 1, 2024 | Updated: September 1, 2024

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Kentucky Volleyeball opened the weekend with a straight set win over Northern Kentucky 3-0 on Friday night. It was the first game or match played in the newly renovated Historic Memorial Coliseum after it’s 82-million-dollar renovation.

All smiles on Sunday in HMC pic.twitter.com/jIpJI4C7ZM
— Kentucky Volleyball (@KentuckyVB) September 1, 2024

The reviews of the new arena were, in a word, glowing. Setter Emma Grome, who played in Memorial before the renovations, was ecstatic about the team’s new home.

“It was awesome. That place is seriously so cool,” Grome said. “It’s better than we could have ever imagined. Just to be a part of that and to be the first team that gets to play in this new Historic Memorial Coliseum is so awesome.”

Set one: ✅✅

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💻 https://t.co/wGuUosOfkW
📊 https://t.co/ciI0UduoKh #WeAreUK x @SEC pic.twitter.com/D4TJmyhTwn
— Kentucky Volleyball (@KentuckyVB) September 1, 2024

The Bluegrass Battle continue on Saturday evening with the No. 9 Kentucky Volleyball team topped Western Kentucky 3-1 (25-18, 19-25, 25-16, 25-16) inside Historic Memorial Coliseum.

Kentucky won sets one, three and four to stake claim to the win thanks to efficient offense to the tune of .293 hitting buoyed by DeLeye’s 26 terminations on the night. The Wildcats had three players reach double figures in scoring with RS-freshman Brooke Bultema and senior outside hitter Erin Lamb both tallying 11 kills in the match. Sophomore DS/Libero Molly Tuozzo wore the libero jersey Saturday night for the first time in her career, logging a team-high 15 digs and helping to hold the Toppers to just .178 hitting in the match.

Kentucky takes the first set 25-19 over Morehead St. Brooklyn DeLeye leads them with 4 kills, an Ace, and 5.5 pts. @KentuckyVB #WVB #BBN @CSCast_ @drinklocalbham @JhSpors @GreenvillSMedia @JacobsTalk @therealfreshcha pic.twitter.com/L7G8Keo3ti
— Brad Harvey (@BradCSCast) September 1, 2024

On Sunday afternoon The Cats took on Morehead state in a round robin style weekend for each team. Kentucky took the first set powered by Brooklyn Deleye with four kills and adding a service ace. The opening set was 25-19. In the second set the Wildcats opened it ip even more taking the set 25-13 over the Eagles.

The third set saw senior Haley Melby come in and shine in the match. By the middle of the set, she was leading Kentucky with six kills. Sophomore Brook Bultema added five kills as well. Molly Tuozzo led the Cats with 16 digs and All-American Setting Emma Grome led with 27 assists. The Cats took control and won the match 25 -8 in three sets winning the Bluegrass Battle.