Hudson Brings Experience, Firepower to UK Volleyball
One of the top volleyball hitters in the country last season, Eva Hudson, decided to put her name in the transfer portal at the end of the 2024 campaign. Having driven the Purdue offense for three seasons, Hudson was ready for a new challenge.
After going through the recruiting process again, Hudson chose to play at Kentucky and will be the only senior on a talented, young roster this season. What was it about UK that Hudson liked?
“The coaching staff has made this program feel like family,” Hudson said. “You can tell that Coach Skinner cares so much about the people and the culture that he’s built and the girls are a perfect mirror of that. They welcomed me and all the other transfers in, just like family. It’s been awesome and the campus is absolutely beautiful and we just have a fan base that cares so much.”
Hudson also liked the fact that Kentucky has won eight consecutive Southeastern Conference championships and a national title in 2020.
“I wanted to go into a volleyball program that knew how to win and that has had a great tradition of winning,” Hudson said. “I think Kentucky is a school that has a tradition of winning.”
Hudson had a monster season for Purdue in 2024. She led the Big Ten and was fifth in the nation last year with 567 total kills and 10th in the nation, one spot behind new teammate Brooklyn DeLeye, in kills per set (4.81). In three seasons at Purdue, Hudson racked up 1,642 kills in 98 matches. She has a .262 hitting percentage for her career, including a .287 mark, her career high, last season.
Speaking of DeLeye, it turns out that she was a big part of Hudson’s recruitment to UK. The pair of outside hitters will form one of the most imposing offensive attacks in the country this season.
“One of the main people I talked to in the recruiting process was Brooklyn,” Hudson said. “I just loved her enthusiasm for the game and wanting to be great. I think it’s great that we can both push each other in the gym. I’m really excited because it could be a really special thing.”
Hudson will obviously bring offense to the Cats this year, but she also hopes to be a veteran presence.
“I hope to bring some more experience to the team,” Hudson said. “I am the only senior, so I have been playing for three years, so (experience) is something Craig wants me to bring into this program.”
The addition of Hudson as a weapon will make the Kentucky offensive attack even better this season.
