In a dominant display of volleyball, the No. 5-ranked University of Louisville Cardinals secured a convincing victory over North Carolina in straight sets of 25-23, 25-16, 25-10. Middle blocker Cara Cresse led the charge with an impressive .667 hitting percentage, tallying eight kills and eight blocks.
Louisville’s overall season record now stands at 23-3, with a 14-2 record in the ACC. The team showcased their offensive prowess, hitting an impressive .402 and recording four aces and 13 blocks in the match. Outside hitter Charitie Luper contributed 10 kills, six digs, and two blocks, while Anna DeBeer added seven kills, three digs, and two blocks. Aiko Jones and Phekran Kong also made valuable contributions to the team’s success.
Setting the stage for a triumphant Senior Day celebration, Louisville honored the careers of setter Brigitta Petrenko, defensive specialists Ayden Bartlett and Ceci Rush, and opposite hitter Aiko Jones.
On the opposing side, North Carolina struggled to find their rhythm, falling to 12-13 overall and 6-10 in the conference. The Tar Heels hit a mere .124 and managed only three aces and five blocks. Outside hitter Mabrey Shaffmaster stood out with 16 kills, two aces, six digs, and a block.
The Cardinals will now focus their attention on their next challenge as they head on the road to face their rival, Pittsburgh. This highly anticipated matchup is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, with the first serve set for 1 p.m.
In a set-by-set recap, the first set saw North Carolina take an early lead thanks to a strong start from Shaffmaster. However, Louisville responded with a series of blocks and kills from Cresse, eventually securing a 25-23 win.
The second set followed a similar pattern, with both teams exchanging points early on. Louisville gained momentum and capitalized on a 6-1 run, highlighted by kills from Cresse and Luper, leading to a 25-16 victory.
In the third and final set, Louisville asserted their dominance, scoring nine of the first 10 points. North Carolina struggled to keep up, with the Cardinals ultimately sealing the set and match with an impressive 25-10 win.
Throughout the match, Louisville demonstrated their strength in both offense and defense, hitting .529 in the final set and recording two aces and five blocks. With their comprehensive victory over North Carolina, the Cardinals continue to establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the ACC and beyond.
