volleyball

In addition to her Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor, DeBeer also received numerous accolades this season. She was named the East Region Player of the Year and first team All-East Region, as well as earning a spot on the NCAA All-Regional team. Her impressive performances included a double-double with 19 kills and 13 digs in the Sweet 16 match against Creighton. She also had a career-high 29 kills and 30 points in a match against No. 7 Pittsburgh, along with five aces in a match against Wake Forest. DeBeer also joined the 1,000 Career Kill Club this year.

Nayelis Cabello hails from Clermont, Florida, where she played for East Ridge High School under the guidance of head coach Mayra Cuebas. Cabello, a 6-0 setter, also shined on the club circuit for Top Select Volleyball Academy under coach German Del-Valle. Her impressive performances earned her All-American honors twice and she was a part of the AAU runner-up squad in 2023. Cabello’s talent was further recognized when she was named an MVP at the Under Armour Next Selection Camp in 2022.

This marks Scott’s second appearance on the second team, as she made the list last season during Louisville’s run to the National Finals. DeBeer, on the other hand, missed the majority of last season due to injury and was therefore not eligible. However, she more than made up for it this year, earning several accolades including being named East Region Player of the Year and first team All-East Region, as well as NCAA All-Regional.

The PVF season is set to commence on Friday, January 26, 2024, with the regular season extending until May 11. The playoffs will then begin in mid-May, adding an extra layer of intensity to the competition.

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.

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.

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.

Head coach Dani Busboom Kelly was quick to express her gratitude for the opportunity to host the tournament at the Yum! Center, recognizing the commitment of the university and the impact it has on the sport of volleyball. She praised Western Michigan as a formidable opponent, acknowledging their impressive season and highlighting the skills of their setter Logan Case and libero Andelyn Simkins.

Freshman standout Brooklyn DeLeye led the charge for Kentucky, recording an impressive 16 kills with only two errors, hitting for .350. She also contributed six digs to the team’s effort. This win marked the Wildcats’ third top-10 victory of the season and their second over the Razorbacks. Erin Lamb added 12 kills to the scoreboard, and Reagan Rutherford had a strong performance with 10 kills in her first match back from an ankle injury.