Many of the 4,399 fans who endured the University of Louisville and Northern Iowa volleyball clash had to believe it was the most competitive they had ever seen. The outcome was in doubt until the final kill in the fifth set of the second round game in the NCAA tournament.
Anna DeBeer, the All-American heart of this UofL team, had to wonder numerous times whether the match would be her last in a collegiate career than spans five seasons. Louisville losing the first set 26-28, squeezing by 25-22 in the second, losing again 25-23 in the third, but burying NIU 25-13 in the fourth. UofL resembling the nation’s third-ranked team in that fourth set.
But Northern Illinois was not about to roll over. The fifth set would include 14 ties, seven lead changes, and nine match points. Coach Dani Busboom-Kelly’s expression mirroring constant concern of her team and the Cardinal followers. This match could easily have gone either way. The No. 1 seed Cardinals were one blown serve at least three times from being eliminated from the tournament.
Anna was not ready to leave, not just yet. Too much left to play for with the University of Louisville.
It was appropriate that the final two kills would come UofL star seniors Anna DeBeer and Charitie Luper. Luper with the kill that gave Louisville a 21-20 lead. DeBeer with the final kill that gave Louisville the 22-20 win. The highest score for a fifth set in UofL’s volleyball history. .
Outside hitters DeBeer and Luper achieved their 12th and seventh double-doubles of the season, both with 19 kills for the night. DeBeer also had 11 digs while Luper contributed 14 of them.
Libero Elena Scott ied a season high in digs with 26. Middle blocker Cara Cresse stuffed a career-high 14 blocks against the Panthers and added seven of her own kills. Middle blocker Phekran Kong and outside hitter Sofia Maldonado Diaz each contributed six block assists on defense.
“I told our team before the tournament, ‘I don’t want to feel relief anymore, I want everything to be exciting,” said UofL Coach Dani Busboom Kelly. “I went, ‘Well I’m really freaking relieved right now.’ Hopefully [there’s] more excitement later.”
Quite a scare, hopefully a learning experience, and relief that seniors DeBeer, Scott, Luper, Diaz and Kong will still be available. The outcome of this match way too close for comfort.
