Updated Aug. 23, 2026, 6:18 p.m. ET
The Kentucky Wildcats volleyball team opened their 2026 season with a win over Wisconsin on Friday. It was an impressive 3-0 sweep of a top ten Badgers team, and a great start to what could be another fantastic season in Lexington. Today, however, the Wildcats weren’t able to replicate that success against Pittsburgh.
Errors marred the match for Kentucky, and they couldn’t overcome them, falling to the Panthers 3-1 (14-25, 25-21, 13-25, 21-25)
The Wildcats had 33 attack errors in the match, with their kill attempts too often falling just out of bounds. Nine service errors contributed as well.
Overall, Kentucky had just a .086 hit percentage, compared to .297 for Pitt. Morgan Gaerte led the Cats with 14 kills Brooklyn DeLeye added 13. On the other side, 2025 Player of the Year Olivia Babcock couldn’t be stopped. She totaled 27 kills on the day, and Kentucky had no answer. Pittsburgh’s defense also played well, racking up 14 blocks. Kentucky moves to 1-1 on the season with the loss. They’ll head home to play Utah State on Friday, Aug.
28. Pitt finishes off the match, wins 3-1 Kentucky couldn’t overcome their mistakes, and drop the fourth set 25-21. Errors have Kentucky on the ropes Another service error followed by an attack error have Kentucky down 21-17 in the fourth set.
Brooklyn DeLeye kill The Wildcats are trying to stay in it. DeLeye gets a kill, but they still trail 14-13. Set four is tied after another error by Kentucky It has been a theme in this match. Errors have hurt the Wildcats. A big lead is erased, and Pitt leads 11-10 in set four. Morgan Gaerte gets tenth kill Gaerte’s tenth kill makes it 9-6 in the fourth set.
Back to back attack errors for Kentucky Both DeLeye and Carr miss kill attempts to give Pitt a couple of points. It’s 6-4 Cats. Kentucky opens with a run The Wildcats take the first four points in set four. They have to have this one. Kentucky starts set four with a block The Wildcats defense needs to step up in this set. They get one to start things off and lead 1-0. Pittsburgh dominates set three The Wildcats had no answers in set three.
Unforced errors, poor passes, and a dominant Olivia Babcock gave Pitt a 24-13 win to take a 2-1 lead in the match. Olivia Babcock is unstoppable Pitt is going to Babcock over and over, and she continues to shine. It’s 23-13.
Pitt pulling away The Wildcats made it close, but Pitt has gone on a run and now lead 18-11. Kentucky calls another timeout. Lizzie Carr block Kentucky’s defense comes up big. Carr’s block cuts the lead to 13-11. Kentucky calls timeout Pitt scores four straight points after some bad passes by the Wildcats. The Panthers lead 13-9 now.
Pitt pulls ahead by two The Pittsburgh defense continues to play well. They block DeLeye and now lead 11-9. Georgia Watson is having a good match Watson gets a kill here to put Kentucky up 7-6. She has had a few terrific swings. Attack error strikes Kentucky The Wildcats have a few errors early in set three. They trail 5-3. Brooklyn DeLeye gets a kill in set three Pitt scored first, but DeLeye scores to tie set three at 1-1.
This will be a big set. Highlight: Brooklyn DeLeye smashes home the serve Another Brooklyn DeLeye ace gives Kentucky set two DeLeye drops in three services aces in a row to close out set two. Kentucky takes it 25-21. The match is now 1-1. Brooklyn DeLeye ace Pittsburgh calls timeout.
DeLeye drops in her serve to give the Wildcats a 23-21 lead in set two. Lizzie Carr puts Kentucky in front Carr gets a big kill down the middle. It makes it 21-20 Kentucky. Kennedy Washington ties it again. Pitt pulled ahead, but Kentucky ties it at 18 after Washington gets a big kill. Morgan Gaerte huge kill The Pitt lead in 16-15 after Gaerte goes up and smashes a kill down the middle. Highlight: Kentucky gets a block Brooklyn DeLeye trying to keep Kentucky in it DeLeye gets her fourth kill and cuts the Pitt lead to 14-11.
Morgan Gaerte gets a kill A long rally ends with a Gaerte kill. It’ 11-9 Pitt. Olivia Babcock extends Pitt’s lead The Wildcats started hot, but Kentucky has no answers for Babcock who now has 10 kills. They lead 11-7 in the second set.
Pitt defense puts them in front Asia Thigpen was blocked and Pitt leads 6-5. Lizzie Carr gets a kill It’s a better start for the Wildcats in set two. Carr puts the Cats up 3-1. Kentucky opens set two with a point A nice rally ended with a point for the Wildcats. They’re up 1-0.
Another Kentucky error ends set one The Wildcats had 11 errors in set one, and Pitt ran away with it. Kentucky falls 25-14. Pitt making no mistakes at all Every Pitt hit is landing, and they’re dominating the opening set. It’s 23-12 Panthers. This first set is getting ugly It’s 17-9 Pittsburgh.
The Wildcats are now up to nine errors. They call a timeout. Another error for Kentucky That’s seven attacking errors for the Wildcats early in this match. It’s 15-9 Pitt in the first set of the match.
Olivia Babcock dominating early Babcock gets another kill to put Pitt up 14-9. Brooklyn DeLeye gets her first kill The Wildcats cut into the lead with DeLeye’s first kill of the match.
It’s 10-7 now. Timeout Kentucky The Wildcats have five unforced errors already. They’re hitting at 0% so far, and trail 10-6 in the first set. Kentucky struggling early Brooklyn DeLeye hits one long to make it 8-5 Pitt. That’s Kentucky’s fourth hit error already. Olivia Babcock is hot to start Kentucky hasn’t contained Babcock so far.
She scores again here to put Pitt back in front. Pitt pulls ahead Lizzie Carr’s kill went long and Pitt now pulls in front. It’s 3-2 Panthers.
Kentucky gets the first point Pitt went to Babcock, but her kill attempt went wide. It’s 1-0 Wildcats. Pitt won last year’s matchup Last season these two teams met early on. Pitt won and then Kentucky went on a 27 match winning streak. Kentucky is ready Where to watch Kentucky vs Pitt TV Channel: ESPN Streaming: Fubo (free trial available) When to watch Kentucky vs Pitt Date: Sunday, Aug. 23 Time: 4:00 P.M.
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