KANSAS CITY, MO (December 22, 2025) – Kansas City welcomed the NCAA Division 1 Women’s Volleyball Championship in December of 2025. Renowned T-Mobile Center hosted thousands of fans from around the country for two semi-final matches, as well as a final match to crown the season’s champion.
In the first semifinal match, Texas A&M University took down the University of Pittsburgh in three straight sets. The next match featured the University of Kentucky narrowly beating the University of Wisconsin, winning 3-2. The Aggies of Texas A&M continued their dominance by sweeping the Kentucky Wildcats in the championship match, securing the program’s first ever NCAA Championship.
By the Numbers
Over 36,000 fans across two sessions packed T-Mobile Center
The tournament generated an estimated $15.4 million dollars for the Kansas City area
Tickets to the tournament sold out in less than 30 minutes
The championship match peaked at 1.7 million viewers on ESPN, making it the second most watched championship in history.
Kansas City Ties
The tournament semifinals included two participants who hail from the Kansas City area.
Kentucky’s Brooklyn DeLeye, a Topeka, KS native, was awarded Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year in both her junior and senior seasons at Washburn Rural High School. DeLeye played a key role in Kentucky’s stellar season by leading the team with 521 kills.
The National Champion Aggies also featured a Kansas native on their roster in Associate Head Coach, Lindsay (Gray) Walton. Walton grew up in Olathe, KS before attending Georgia Tech University. She skyrocketed through the coaching ranks earning multiple awards including the 2017 AVCA Assistant Coach of the Year and was included in the Top 30 Coaches Under 30 in 2012.
Volleyball in Kansas City
Kansas City has established itself as a volleyball hub through its consistent production of collegiate athletes and its commitment togrowing the game by hosting events and celebrations. Throughout the championship week, Kansas City and Visit Kansas City hosted the AVCA Convention, volleyball’s most comprehensive learning and networking event. The week also consisted of enlightening welcome receptions, thoughtful players’ lounges, and other activations to ensure players, fans and visitors enjoyed their stay.
In addition to the activations during the tournament, Kansas City is proud to host the following events in 2025.
WIN for KC’s annual Evelyn Gates Award, which celebrates the area’s top female high school volleyball player
USAV Nationals U10-U13 at the Kansas City Convention Center
Triple Crown Tournament at the Kansas City Convention Center
LOVB Pro Team matches at Municipal Arena
USAV Show Me National Qualifier at the Kansas City Convention Center
From the KC Sports Commission
“The 2025 NCAA Volleyball National Championship was the result of years of collaboration and preparation. The event demonstrated Kansas City's ability to deliver a seamless, championship-caliber experience for student-athletes, fans, and partners as soon as they arrived in our city.”
- Nichole Robinson, Director of National Events
About The KC Sports Commission and Foundation
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