SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Texas Longhorns are on a bit of a revenge tour in the SEC Volleyball Tournament.
After sweeping Ole Miss in the quarterfinals, the Longhorns followed that performance with a gritty four-set victory over Texas A&M in the semifinals. The Longhorns lost to the Aggies in five sets on Halloween.
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Now, they have a chance to exorcise another demon from the regular season: Kentucky.
In a near-disastrous losing weekend for the Longhorns, Kentucky gave Texas its first, and only, sweep of the season. Both teams have adjusted and grown since that Nov. 2 match, and Texas is playing strong postseason volleyball.
“I think throughout this entire tournament going into the postseason, I think we’re just entering a different stage of Texas volleyball,” middle blocker Ayden Ames said after the match Monday night.
Texas Longhorns outside hitter Torrey Stafford (4) returns a serve during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns libero Ramsey Gary (32) dives for a serve during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns outside hitter Torrey Stafford (4) spikes the ball during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns setter Ella Swindle (1) misses a serve during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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The Texas Longhorns line up on the court ahead of the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns outside hitter Cari Spears (23) spikes the ball during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns libero Emma Halter (2) celebrates a point during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns setter Ella Swindle (1) returns a serve during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns libero Emma Halter (2) serves during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Kentucky outside hitter Eva Hudson reacts to a call during the match against the Texas Longhorns at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns libero Ramsey Gary (32) returns a serve during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns outside hitter Cari Spears (23) blocks a spike during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns setter Ella Swindle (1) and middle blocker Ayden Ames (5) jump to block a spike by Kentucky outside hitter Eva Hudson (7) during the match at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns libero Emma Halter (2) returns a serve during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Kentucky middle blocker Lizzie Carr (15) and outside hitter Asia Thigpen (20) miss a block during the match against the Texas Longhorns at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns setter Rella Binney (3) celebrates a point during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns outside hitter Torrey Stafford (4) spikes the ball during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns libero Emma Halter (2) waits for a serve during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Kentucky libero Molly Tuozzo (12) returns a serve during the match against the Texas Longhorns at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns outside hitter Torrey Stafford (4) and middle blocker Nya Bunton (55) block a spike during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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The Texas Longhorns play Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns setter Ella Swindle (1) and middle blocker Nya Bunton (55) block a spike during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns middle blocker Ayden Ames (5) misses a block during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns libero Ramsey Gary (32) returns a serve during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns middle blocker Nya Bunton (55) serves the ball during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns outside hitter Abby Vander Wal (6) spikes the ball during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns outside hitter Abby Vander Wal (6) spikes the ball during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns outside hitter Cari Spears (23) and middle blocekr Ayden Ames (5) jump to block a spike during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Jerritt Elliott walks the court during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns players react after losing to Kentucky in 3 sets in a match at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Kentucky players react as they beat the Texas Longhorns in 3 sets in a at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Kentucky players react as they beat the Texas Longhorns in 3 sets in a at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Anna Benke plays with balloon animals on the court after the Texas Longhorns volleyball loss to Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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Here is what to know about the Wildcats and Longhorns before the Tuesday night match at 6 p.m. CT.
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How did we get here?
Both Kentucky and Texas are seeded in the top four of the tournament which means they got a first and second round bye.
Kentucky swept Auburn (25-15, 25-20, 25-22) in the quarters Sunday afternoon and followed with a 3-1 win over No. 4 Tennessee in Monday night’s semifinal.
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Texas followed a similar pattern by sweeping Ole Miss (25-11, 25-17, 25-8) Sunday evening and won 3-1 Monday night against A&M.
The last time Kentucky won an SEC conference title was back-to-back seasons in 1987 and 1988. Texas’ last conference title was in 2023, its last year in the Big 12.
Texas Longhorns outside hitter Cari Spears (23) and middle blocker Ayden Ames (5) jump to block a Tennessee attempt in the fourth set as the Texas Longhorns take on the Tennessee Lady Volunteers at home in Austin, Oct. 8, 2025.
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What to know about Kentucky
The Wildcats went undefeated in the postseason for their ninth straight conference championship.
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Outside hitters Eva Hudson and Brooklyn DeLeye are some of the biggest hitters for the Wildcats, combining for 859 kills on the season. Hudson also won SEC Player of the year and Newcomer of the Year in conference awards, after she transferred from Purdue.
The Wildcats swept Auburn in their quarterfinals match after an errorless, 13-kill performance from Hudson while DeLeye had 15 on the night. In their semifinal match against the Tennessee Volunteers, the Wildcats hit .253 and DeLeye and Hudson combined for 40 kills in the match.
MORE: Who will win the SEC Volleyball Tournament? Predictions for Kentucky, Texas, more
How can Texas win?
When Texas last played Kentucky, the Longhorns did not have their best match and got swept.
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Texas’ hitting percentage was .248 and they finished the night with 16 errors while Kentucky hit .353 for of the season. If the Longhorns can keep swinging and not be afraid of the Wildcat block they will have a strong chance to win.
“We’re doing different routes and different things on our side, which makes it confusing for the block,” opposite hitter Torrey Stafford said after Sunday’s win.
But Texas’ block has also improved since the Nov. 2 loss and even out blocked the Wildcats by one. The Longhorns have been double teaming the block and it has been a successful change.
MORE: How Texas can beat No. 1 seed Kentucky
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Game prediction
Zoe Collins Rath: Kentucky wins in five sets. The Wildcats are primed for a postseason run and after a strong performance so far, they are kicking into high gear.