LOUISVILLE, KY. – The Louisville Cardinals delivered a stunning upset against the No. 1 ranked Pitt Panthers, clinching their place in the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship with a 3-1 victory at the KFC Yum! Center on Thursday night. This match marked not only Louisville's redemption after two previous defeats to Pitt earlier this season but also their advancement to the national title match for the second time in three years.
Pitt entered the semifinals as the overwhelming favorite, having achieved the best record of the season and dominating the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The Panthers, coached by Dan Fisher, won the first set 25-21, showcasing the powerful plays of Olivia Babcock, who finished the match with a career-high 33 kills. "We’re hurting. It was one of the tougher losses in my career. It was tough because it was the best we played since we’ve been in the final four," Fisher remarked, reflecting on the team's performance.
Initially, the Panthers found rhythm early with strong offensive plays. After securing the first set, they took control early on again, setting the tone for what seemed to be another victory. But Louisville, driven by the cheers of their devoted fans, fought back fiercely, taking the second set 25-23. Torrey Stafford’s contributions to Pitt's offense were also notable, with her tally hitting 18 kills.
The third set proved to be the most intense. Louisville displayed great resilience, even as they faced adverse moments, including the injury to their leading scorer and fifth-year senior, Anna DeBeer, who went down after twisting her ankle. "I think we were really just trying to play for each other at the moment; we were trying to find solutions," Stafford said, highlighting her team's commitment even as DeBeer was helped off the floor.
Despite the loss of their leader, Louisville maintained their composure, relishing the challenge. Freshman Payton Petersen stepped up to fill the void, contributing significantly in DeBeer’s absence. Coach Dani Busboom Kelly praised her team, stating, "It just felt like everybody was so dialed in, we could have put anybody in and had the same outcome. Super proud and really unbelievable performance against maybe the best team in the country."
Signals of momentum shifted dramatically when Louisville rallied to win the third set 29-27. It was here, at what felt like the crux of the match, where the Cardinals turned the tide for good. They dug deep to overcome not just the score but the psychological impact of losing DeBeer. They committed to each rally, and their team spirit shone brightly.
Despite showing impressive offensive capabilities—hitting .316 as a team with 70 total kills—Pitt could not reclaim the momentum as the match progressed. The final set showcased Louisville’s tenacity, with the Cardinals storming the court energized, taking the fourth set decisively 25-17. Coach Fisher noted the challenging environment saying, "It helped them," referring to the amplifying energy of the home crowd backing Louisville.
With this remarkable win, the Cardinals improved their postseason standing and will face the winner of the second semifinal match between Nebraska and Penn State. Their excitement was palpable as they prepared for the championship game, drawing on the strength of their victory over Pitt.
Reflecting on the season's milestones, both teams demonstrated remarkable talent and determination, but only one advanced to the ultimate stage. Louisville now stands poised for the national title, enjoying the sweet taste of victory and the thrill of their loyal supporters. "Payton, you have ice in your veins," echoed Coach Kelly, underscoring Petersen’s remarkable performance under pressure, as she was instrumental during the match's closing moments. On the other side, the Panthers, though heartbroken, recognized the strides made this season. Their focus remains on building for the next campaign, with promises of resilience from their social media updates: "Pitt family, thank you for your support all season long. We'll be back," they assured.
The anticipation for Sunday’s championship match heightens as the stage is set for another thrilling encounter, with the Cardinals ready to claim their moment.
