The Louisville women’s volleyball team is perhaps the hottest team in the land. The Cards are ranked 5th nationally and are undefeated, with a 9-0 record. This record isn’t full of cupcakes either. They have beaten some legit teams on the road, at neutral sites, and at home. Their latest conquest was against arch rival Kentucky.
𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐒 𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒.#GoCards pic.twitter.com/dMQvE8Oh3t
— Louisville Volleyball (@UofLVolleyball) September 16, 2021
In 5 sets, the Cards beat the Cats 3-2. UofL lost the first set 25-17, but then won the next two 25-20 and 25-22. They lost the fourth set 25-20 before finishing off the cats in the fifth set 15-9. It was a nip and tuck contest throughout which was expected in a rivalry game against the 8th-ranked team in the land.
Relive every point of our match-winning 7-0 run!
— Louisville Volleyball (@UofLVolleyball) September 16, 2021
🗒️: https://t.co/KLxib2gu9L#GoCards pic.twitter.com/4ckQQBHyj1
Louisville native Anna DeBeer, redshirt junior Aiko Jones, and grad student Tori Dilfer led the way for the Cards. DeBeer recorded 14 kills, an ace, and 10 digs. Jones led the team in aces with 3 and was second in blocks with 5. Dilfer led the team in assists with 44 and also recorded 9 digs. The other stat leaders for the Cards were senior Claire Chaussee with 18 kills, Junior Amaya Tillman with 9 blocks, and Louisville native freshman Elena Scott with 18 digs.
MORNING MOOD 😃#GoCards pic.twitter.com/91vVuEr2w5
— Louisville Volleyball (@UofLVolleyball) September 16, 2021
Of UofL’s eight previous victories, seven of those were in straight sets 3-0. This included a victory over the then 6th-ranked Purdue Boilermakers on at a neutral site. They handed Purdue their only loss so far this season. Only their victory over Arizona State in a true road contest went to five sets before the match against Kentucky.
In other words, the Cards have been straight dominant thus far in the 2021 season. They haven’t really be challenged by anyone except Arizona State in their first true road contest and by their arch rival and defending national champs. Could the Cards become the next national champion? Time, as always, will tell.
