Voleyball

Louisville finished their season with an overall record of 27-5, hitting .213 with five aces and 13 blocks in the loss. Middle blocker Phekran Kong had an outstanding performance, tying her career-high with 13 kills while hitting .600 and contributing eight blocks. Outside hitter Anna DeBeer also had an impressive game, tallying 13 kills, eight digs, and three blocks. Middle blocker Cara Cresse recorded nine kills, five blocks, and an ace, and Aiko Jones added nine kills, six blocks, and five digs in her final match as a Cardinal. Setter Elle Glock had 39 assists, four digs, and a block, while libero Elena Scott totaled 10 digs, four assists, and three aces.

In their previous match against Western Michigan, the No. 7-ranked and No. 2-seeded Cardinals swept their opponent to secure their spot in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. With this win, Louisville improved to 26-4 for the season. The Cardinals dominated on the offensive end, hitting above .300 in every set, with a total hitting percentage of .342 throughout the match. Cara Cresse continued to impress with nine kills and three blocks, hitting an impressive .538. Anna DeBeer delivered an all-around performance with nine kills, nine digs, and two blocks, while Phekran Kong contributed seven kills and five blocks. Middle blocker Reese Robbins, who provided a much-needed spark off the bench, hit .462 with a career-high eight kills and a block. Libero Elena Scott shined again with 22 digs, seven assists, and two aces, while setter Elle Glock recorded 26 assists, 11 digs, and an ace.

The loss marked the end of Kentucky’s season, with the Wildcats finishing with a 21-8 overall record and an impressive 17-1 record in the Southeastern Conference. Head coach Craig Skinner led the team to their seventh consecutive SEC Championship, a remarkable feat. Despite the defeat, the team can be proud of their achievements this year.

Throughout the match, both teams fought hard, but it was Louisville who came out on top. The Cardinals took the first set with a score of 25-21, never trailing behind the Blue Jays. DeBeer’s powerful kills and Luper’s consistent performance led to a hitting percentage of .400 for Louisville.

The Cardinals booked their spot in the Sweet Sixteen with an impressive sweep of Western Michigan on Friday night. UofL, who boast a 26-4 overall record this season, displayed their dominance by hitting .342 and recording five aces and 10 blocks. Middle blocker Cara Cresse led the way with nine kills and three blocks, while outside hitter Anna DeBeer contributed nine kills and nine digs. Middle blocker Phekran Kong had an impressive performance with seven kills and five blocks. Additionally, middle blocker Reese Robbins made a vital impact off the bench with eight kills. Libero Elena Scott showcased her defensive prowess with 22 digs, and setter Elle Glock contributed 26 assists. The Cardinals hold a 1-0 series lead over the Bluejays, with their last meeting resulting in a 3-2 victory for Louisville in 2015.

Brooklyn DeLeye, a freshman on the UK team, understands that Arkansas will be coming full force. She acknowledges that beating a team three times in a row is no easy feat, stating, “Obviously, they’re an amazing team. They’re going to be coming for us. It’s honestly hard to beat a team three times in a row.”

The University of Louisville dominated the All-East Region team, with six players earning spots on the First Team. The six Cardinals recognized were Cara Cresse, Anna DeBeer, Elle Glock, Aiko Jones, Charitie Luper, and Elena Scott. Additionally, Phekran Kong received an Honorable Mention All-East Region selection, solidifying the Cardinals’ dominance in the region.

DeLeye’s impressive statistics speak for themselves, with an average of 71 kills per set, earning her the title of SEC Freshman of the Year. Alongside her, teammates Eleanor Beavin, Emma Grome, Reagan Rutherford, and Azhani Tealer have also been recognized for their outstanding performances. This talented group of players has earned spots on the AVCA’s All-Southeast Region Team, which is comprised of teams from the SEC, Atlantic Sun, Big South, Southern Conference, SWAC, and Sun Belt.

Louisville, ranked No. 7 and seeded No. 2, secured their spot in the Sweet Sixteen by sweeping Western Michigan on Friday night. With this win, Louisville’s overall record for the season now stands at 26-4. Louisville showed a strong performance with a hitting percentage of .342, hitting over .300 in every set. They also had five aces and 10 blocks. Middle blocker Cara Cresse stood out with nine kills and three blocks while hitting .538. Outside hitter Anna DeBeer recorded nine kills, nine digs, and two blocks. Middle blocker Phekran Kong added seven kills and five blocks. Reese Robbins, who came off the bench, made a crucial impact by hitting .462 with a career-high eight kills and a block. Libero Elena Scott had an exceptional performance with 22 digs, seven assists, and two aces. Setter Elle Glock contributed 26 assists, 11 digs, and an ace.

Fans can catch all the action on ESPNU and the ESPN app, with the talented trio of Courtney Lyle, Holly McPeak, and Katie George providing the commentary from Lincoln. The match is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. ET, or 30 minutes after the conclusion of the (1) Nebraska vs. Georgia Tech match, which kicks off at 2 p.m. ET and will be televised on ESPN2.