KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kyndal Stowers and Logan Lednicky combined for 34 points to lead Texas A&M to a 29-27, 25-21, 25-20 sweep of Pittsburgh on Thursday, punching its ticket to the national championship game in women’s volleyball.

Stowers led the way with 18 points and 16 kills on a 53% kill rate, and Lednicky had 16 points and 14 kills on a 45% kill rate. It was Lednicky’s 22nd consecutive match with double-digit kills. Maddie Waak had 47 assists.

The No. 3-seeded Aggies (28-4) reached the final for the first time in program history after never having advanced beyond the final eight. It’s the second No. 1 seed the Aggies have defeated in the tournament after stunning previously undefeated Nebraska in a regional final. Texas A&M also knocked off No. 2 seed Louisville.

Pitt had not been swept this season before Thursday.

Olivia Babcock, a finalist for American Volleyball Coaches Association National Player of the Year, led the Panthers (30-5) with 25 points, finishing with 22 kills and a 54% kill rate. No other Panthers player had double-digit points. Brooke Mosher had 31 assists.

Texas A&M will play Kentucky, a five-set winner over Wisconsin in the late semifinal, in Sunday’s final.

Kentucky outlasts Wisconsin

Eva Hudson had 31 points, leading Kentucky to a 12-25, 25-22, 21-25, 26-24, 15-13 win over Wisconsin.

Hudson, a finalist for the AVCA National Player of the Year, carried the No. 1-seed Wildcats (30-2) with 29 kills on a 53% kill rate, including the final kill of the game. Brooklyn Delaye added 18 points and a team-high five blocks. Kassie O’Brien had 54 assists, and Molly Tuozzo had 17 digs.

The No. 3-seeded Badgers (28-5) dominated the first set with a 68% hitting rate, but the following sets were tightly contested.

The Badgers were led by Mimi Colyer, a fellow finalist for player of the year, who tallied 32 kills on a 46% kill rate. Carter Booth had 21 at a 70% kill rate to go with a game-high six blocks. Charlie Fuerbringer led all players with 63 assists, and Grace Egan had a team-high 15 digs.

It was the 27th consecutive win for the Wildcats, who won a ninth consecutive SEC title this season.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Former NBA star Penny Hardaway now devotes most of his time to the film room, practice and the sideline while guiding the Memphis men’s basketball team.

Hardaway, in his eighth year coaching the Tigers, revealed his plans for the upcoming brief holiday break.

Despite a holiday layoff from Dec. 22 through New Year’s Eve, Hardaway plans to watch 50 college games, saying on his weekly radio show that he prefers the college game over today’s NBA style.

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Hardaway argued the professional ranks lack an element of fun. “It’s just not fun to watch anymore,” the four-time NBA All-Star said. “It’s just not fun to watch anymore,” the four-time NBA All-Star said.

“It’s like, over the years, to me, it’s just getting worse and worse. Not in a bad way. But for me to watch, because I’m in college, I see the fundamentals and playing team ball,” he said. “And just shooting all the 3s now is just a little irritating to me to just watch an NBA game. No one shoots layups anymore. It’s fun to watch for fans.

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“But for guys that were pure in the game, it’s a little difficult.”

Hardaway was the third overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft and the runner-up at the end of that season’s Rookie of the Year voting. While Hardaway has placed the pros on the back burner, there are still a few teams he enjoys watching.

Head coach Penny Hardaway of the Memphis Tigers reacts during the second half against the Houston Cougars at FedExForum on March 5, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)

“I do love watching (the Oklahoma City Thunder), not because they’re the best team in the NBA, but they play the game the right way,” he said. 

“(And the) Celtics, they play the game the right way. And I still enjoy watching the Grizzlies. I still like watching to see how they’re progressing. The Knicks, watching Jalen Brunson. I watch Minnesota with Anthony Edwards.”

Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway (1) of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on Jan. 5, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

While the advent of name, image and likeness (NIL) has been widely debated, it has undoubtedly shifted the college sports landscape. Hardaway acknowledged the changes in recent years but still concluded that college hoops’ style is more appealing than what the NBA presents.

“But I’ll take that style over the NBA,” he said.

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Hardaway has guided Memphis to three consecutive NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament appearances. The Tigers enter Saturday’s visit to Mississippi State with a 4-6 record.

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Greg Biffle, his wife and children were killed in a plane crash in North Carolina on Thursday, Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., said in a post on social media.

Biffle and his family members were on board a Cessna C550 with the tail number N257BW making its way to the Bahamas via Sarasota, Florida, when it crashed at Statesville Regional Airport. The plane had the tail number N257BW, which is owned by GB Aviation Leasing LLC, according to federal aviation records. The company is owned by Biffle.

“I am devastated by the loss of Greg, Cristina, and their children, and my heart is with all who loved them,” Hudson wrote on X.

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“They were friends who lived their lives focused on helping others. Greg was a great NASCAR champion who thrilled millions of fans. But he was an extraordinary person as well, and will be remembered for his service to others as much as for his fearlessness on the track.”

“The Biffles flew hundreds of rescue missions in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene.”The last time I spoke with Cristina, just a couple of weeks ago, she reached out to ask how she could help with relief efforts in Jamaica. That’s who the Biffles were. Our prayers are with their family, friends, and everyone grieving this unimaginable loss.”

Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell said in an earlier press conference he could “confirm there were fatalities” in the crash. Officials didn’t identify who the deceased were or how many people were on board the plane. The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed to Fox News Digital that there were seven fatalities in the crash. 

NASCAR confirmed that Biffle, his wife and two children were killed in the crash, along with three others. 

“NASCAR is devastated by the tragic loss of Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, son Ryder, Craig Wadsworth and Dennis and Jack Dutton in a fatal plane crash,” NASCAR said in a statement. “Greg was more than a champion driver, he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many. His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport. 

“On the track, Greg’s talent and tenacity earned him championships in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, as well as numerous wins and accolades in the NASCAR Cup Series. Beyond his racing career, he gave of himself for the betterment of our community. Most notably, Greg spent countless hours of his time helping the citizens of North Carolina during the disasters that followed Hurricane Helene. His tireless work saved lives. 

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Greg’s entire family, friends, and all who were touched by his life.”

The Federal Aviation Administration told Fox News Digital the C550 crashed around 10:20 a.m. ET. FAA officials and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating, with the NTSB leading the probe.

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A massive fire is seen at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina. (WJZY-TV)

The fire continued as emergency personnel rushed to the scene of a plane crash in Statesville, North Carolina. (WJZY-TV)

Smoke is seen billowing from a plane crash at Statesvlle Regional Airport in Statesville, North Carolina. (WJZY-TV)

Later, the families of the deceased released a joint statement. Biffle, his wife Cristina Biffle and children Ryder and Emma were among those identified as the victims of the plane crash along with Dennis Dutton, his son Jack and Craig Wadsworth.

“We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones. This tragedy has left all of our families heartbroken beyond words,” the joint statement read. 

“Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives.

“We ask for privacy, compassion and understanding as we grieve and begin to process this unimaginable loss. We are grateful for the kindness and support that has been extended to our families during this incredibly difficult time. At this moment, our focus is on honoring their lives and supporting one another.”

An official with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office told Fox News Digital that the small jet crashed after it took off shortly after 10 a.m.

Video from the scene showed first responders rushing onto the runway as flames burned near the scattered wreckage from the plane.

Golfers at the nearby Lakewood Golf Club said they dropped to the ground as the plane flew overhead. They said the ninth hole was covered with debris.

“We were like, ‘Oh my gosh! That’s way too low,’” Joshua Green, of Mooresville, told The Associated Press. “It was scary.”

Statesville Regional Airport offers corporate aviation facilities for Fortune 500 companies and several NASCAR teams, according to the airport’s website.

Biffle, 55, drew significant praise last year when he used his personal helicopter to deliver supplies and internet service to those who need it in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in parts of North Carolina. He even located a stranded family while flying due to their use of a mirror against the sun.

Biffle had been delivering Starlink services to residents of western North Carolina and reflected on his experience helping out the stranded family whose mirror use saved them.

NASCAR Cup Series driver Greg Biffle (44) talks to the press during Daytona 500 media day at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Florida, on Feb. 16, 2022. (Mike Dinovo/USA TODAY Sports)

“Only way we were able to find someone stranded in the mountains at bottom of steep canyon. 6 attempts to land due to difficulty but we got there – got him a chainsaw, EpiPens, insulin, chicken food, formula, gas, 2 stroke oil, and sandwiches premade from Harris Teeter before we left,” Biffle posted at the time.

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Biffle had 19 victories in the NASCAR Cup Series, six of them coming in 2005 when he finished second in the Cup standings. He won three consecutive Ford 400s from 2004 to 2006 at Homestead. He also earned 20 wins in the Xfinity Series, winning the 2002 title, and got 17 other checkered flags in the Craftsman Truck series, winning the championship in 2000. Biffle had originally stopped racing in 2016 but returned six years later.

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