On Sunday afternoon, the UofL Volleyball team did something that no other Big East team has done since 2007 (St. John’s). They won both the Big East regular season and the Big East Tournament Championship! They swept Marquette, who was the host school, with scores of 25-19, 25-23, and 26-24. They improved their overall season record to an amazing 28-3!
Senior Gwen Rucker was named the Tournament MVP with 38 kills, 52 swings, and just 4 errors. She hit .654 for the weekend. Lola Arslanbekova and Caitlin Welch were also named to the All-Big East Championship Team!
Head coach Anne Kordes had this to say: “We are so excited. The greatest thing in the world to do is win a regular season championship and then back it up with a tournament championship. It’s tough, it’s exhausting and its pressure filled. I am so proud of our kids. If anyone has paid attention to us all year, even though we have some big stars, we’re very evenly distributed with our offense, but it’s our defense that we bank on. Marquette played phenomenal. Hats off to Marquette.”
The Cards will face Ohio Valley Conference champion Belmont this Friday at 5 pm in Cardinal Arena. Before the match, they will honor their 4 seniors: Gwen Rucker, Lola Arslanbekova, Kaitlynn James, and Tanya Lukyanenko.
The NCAA Tournament selection show will be Sunday, November 25 at 4:00. Remember, the national semifinals and finals will be held at the KFC Yum! Center this year!
All-Tournament Team
Caitlyn Breen, Sr., MB, USF
Megan Turner, Sr., OH, Cincinnati
Danielle Carlson, Sr., MH, Marquette
Elizabeth Koberstein, Jr., S, Marquette
Gwen Rucker, Sr., MH, Louisville
Caitlin Welch, Jr., DS, Louisville
Lola Arslanbekova, Sr., OH, Louisville
Most Outstanding Player
Gwen Rucker, Louisville
Championship Schedule:
Quarterfinals, Friday, Nov. 16
Match 1: No. 4 Connecticut, 2 vs. No. 5 Cincinnati, 3 (25-17, 17-25, 25-20, 23-25, 15-8)
Match 2: No. 1 Louisville, 3 vs. No. 8 St. John’s, 0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-18)
Match 3: No. 3 Notre Dame, 1 vs. No. 6 USF, 3 (25-17, 18-25, 25-23, 25-19)
Match 4: No. 2 Marquette, 3 vs. No. 7 Pittsburgh, 1 (25-14, 22-25, 25-23, 25-19)
Semifinals, Saturday, Nov. 17
Match 5: No. 1 Louisville, 3 vs. No. 5 Cincinnati, 0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-23)
Match 6: No. 2 Marquette, 3 vs. No. 6 USF, 1 (25-16, 25-20, 25-27, 25-22)
Championship, Sunday, Nov. 18
Match 7: No. 1 Louisville, 3 vs. No. 2 Marquette, 0 (25-19, 25-23, 26-24)