The University of Louisville’s top-ranked volleyball team clinched its fourth consecutive NCAA Regional Final berth with a decisive straight-set victory over No. 4-seeded Purdue (25-17, 25-18, 25-18) on Thursday night at Freedom Hall.
“It was an outstanding performance by our team. We’re thrilled with how consistent we were throughout the match,” said head coach Dani Busboom Kelly. “Purdue is a tough opponent and played very well, hitting at a strong .273. But I’m especially proud of how we applied lessons from our previous matches to come in with a refreshed mindset and attitude.”
Louisville delivered its best offensive performance of the season, hitting .467 with 52 kills, 33 digs, five blocks, and three aces. Freshman setter Nayelis Cabello shined by serving all three aces and tallying 23 of the team’s 51 assists. Outside hitter Charitie Luper contributed 13 kills on a .571 hitting percentage, along with nine digs. Anna DeBeer led the offense with 15 kills and a .393 clip, also adding seven digs. Sofia Maldonado Diaz added seven kills and a team-high three blocks. Middle blockers Phekran Kong, Cara Cresse, and Reese Robins also contributed defensively, with Robins adding seven kills on 10 swings.
Purdue posted solid numbers, hitting .273 with 37 kills, 26 digs, and seven blocks. Senior middle blocker Raven Colvin excelled in her final collegiate match, hitting .550 with 13 kills and five blocks. Outside hitter Eva Hudson, a semifinalist for AVCA Player of the Year, recorded 10 kills, six digs, and two blocks for the Boilermakers.
Next, Louisville will face No. 2-seeded Stanford on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in Freedom Hall. The match, which will air on ESPN2, determines which team advances to the NCAA Final Four at the KFC Yum! Center on Dec. 19.
The Cardinals and the Cardinal split their two meetings earlier this season. Louisville swept Stanford at home on Sept. 29, while Stanford claimed a 3-1 victory in California on Nov. 30 to close the regular season. Saturday’s matchup marks just the fifth meeting between the two programs.
