Mandy
The Wisconsin Badgers once again came heartbreakingly close to the national title stage, but Kentucky Wildcats proved to be the final obstacle.
In a thrilling Final Four clash on Thursday, No. 1 Kentucky edged out No. 1 Wisconsin 3–2, securing a spot in the National Championship Game and ending Wisconsin’s remarkable postseason run.
Wisconsin Dominates The Opening Set
Wisconsin came out firing in the first set, overwhelming Kentucky 25–12. Stars Mimi Colyer and Carter Booth were nearly unstoppable early, combining for 14 kills while hitting an outstanding .933 in the frame.
The Badgers surged ahead 9–2 and never looked back, maintaining a comfortable margin for the remainder of the set and setting the tone with aggressive offense and solid blocking.
Kentucky Responds To Even The Match
The momentum shifted in the second set as Kentucky jumped out to a 7–4 lead. Wisconsin answered with a 6–2 run, fueled by blocks and errors forced by Carter Booth and Alicia Andrew, taking a 10–9 advantage.
Despite Wisconsin holding a 20–18 lead late after a kill from Una Vajagic, Kentucky closed the set strongly.
A decisive 7–2 run pushed the Wildcats to a 25–22 win, leveling the match at one set each.
Badgers Take Control In The Third Set
Wisconsin regained control early in the third set, opening up a 6–3 lead before extending it to 12–7 behind kills from Andrew, Colyer, and Vajagic.
Although Kentucky briefly narrowed the gap to 15–12, the Badgers maintained composure. A late surge sealed a 25–21 win, giving Wisconsin a 2–1 advantage and putting them within one set of the championship match.
Fourth Set Thriller Forces A Deciding Fifth
The fourth set delivered nonstop tension, with both teams trading points and leads. Tied at 13–13 midway through, Kentucky managed to pull ahead 20–17 and later reached set point at 24–21.
Wisconsin showed resilience, rattling off three straight points to tie it at 24–24.
However, consecutive attack errors from Mimi Colyer and Una Vajagic proved costly, allowing Kentucky to close the set 26–24 and force a fifth.
Kentucky Pulls Away Late In The Final Set
Kentucky seized control early in the deciding set, exploding on an 8–1 run after Wisconsin scored the opening point. Despite trailing, the Badgers refused to fold.
Facing match point at 14–11, Colyer delivered back-to-back kills to cut the deficit to 14–13. The comeback effort ended moments later when Eva Hudson recorded her 29th kill, sending Kentucky to the national title match and Wisconsin home in heartbreak.
Standout Performances And Team Stats
Wisconsin’s stars delivered elite performances despite the loss. Mimi Colyer matched her career high with 32 kills, hitting .348, while Carter Booth set a new career best with 21 kills, matching her output from the Stanford match the previous weekend.
Statistically, Wisconsin outperformed Kentucky in several areas:
- Kills: Wisconsin 77, Kentucky 65
- Hitting Percentage: Wisconsin .375, Kentucky .254
- Attack Errors: Kentucky 22, Wisconsin 17
However, service errors proved decisive, with Wisconsin committing 14 compared to Kentucky’s 9.
Wisconsin’s journey to the Final Four was nothing short of extraordinary, highlighted by victories over No. 2 Stanford and No. 1 Louisville.
Pushing a 29–2 Kentucky squad to five intense sets showcased the Badgers’ resilience and championship-level talent.
While the loss stings, Wisconsin’s performance reaffirmed its place among the nation’s elite programs and set the stage for a strong return in the future.
FAQs
Who won the Final Four match between Wisconsin and Kentucky?
Kentucky defeated Wisconsin 3–2 in a five-set thriller to advance to the National Championship Game.
Who were the top performers for Wisconsin?
Mimi Colyer led with 32 kills, while Carter Booth added a career-high 21 kills.
What ultimately decided the match?
Despite better hitting efficiency, Wisconsin’s service errors and Kentucky’s strong finish in the fifth set proved decisive.