The North Carolina State volleyball team came to town last weekend hoping to duplicate an upset victory over the University of Louisville a year ago. The Wolfpack was one of UofL’s five losses against 27 wins last season. They would be sadly disappointed, licking their wounds on their way back to Raleigh after a 3-0 Cardinal sweep by scores of 25-15, 25-17 and 25-19.
Anna DeBeer would lead the way for Louisville with her fifth double-double of the season with 10 kills and 11 digs, along with a serving ace. Having shed the knee brace, DeBeer seems to have fully recovered from her knee injury from two seasons ago. She also appears to have improved her arm strength and speed, and is a consistent threat on offense and defense. Now in her fifth season, she continues to improve her game.
The victory was Louisville’s eighth straight win since late September, improving the team’s overall won-lost record to 16-2 and 8-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. On the same day, the NCAA announced the UofL would be the No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament if the pairings were announced this week. The Cardinals were behind Nebraska, Pittsburgh and Penn StateR
Reese Robins finished the match with eight kills and three blocks, while Cara Cresse finished with seven kills and five total blocks. Outside hitter Sofia Diaz and Nayelis Cabello were credited two aces apiece. Charitie Luper, who was honored before the game for her 1,000th college career kill, added six kills in this win.
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Nail biting time next weekend with fourth-ranked Louisville traveling to No. 1 Pittsburgh for a 7 p.m. showdown against the Panthers. Then on Sunday the Cardinals face a rugged Southern Methodist University team in Dallas at 1 p.m.
