Sunday Cardinal Couple -- Penn State sweeps Louisville Volleyball

SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- #2 Penn State hands Cards first loss of volleyball season

- Saturday's show now archived and available


It's always tough taking on a national power and Penn State has been one in Volleyball for quite a few years. Last night in "Happy Valley", the Nittany Lions roared past the UofL Volleyball in three straight sets. (Thanks to Nancy Worley - asst. SID for Louisville Volleyball for the recap below)

Maya McClendon had eight kills and Emily Juhl had seven but the University of Louisville fell victim to No. 2-ranked Penn State’s aggressive serving bowing out 25-15, 25-16, 25-13 at the Penn State Invitational in State College, Pa.

“As evidenced by the very last point of the game our setter Hannah Kvitle was crashing into the stands chasing a ball down, the score doesn’t reflect the amount of fight in this team,” said U of L head coach Anne Kordes. “No question we can learn from this that we cannot make unforced errors on a team that experienced, deep and talented.”

 

The Cardinals were aced 10 times, eight of them from the hot left hand of PSU setter Micha Hancock. U of L hit .020 to PSU’s .247. The Lions were paced by Ariel Scott’s 11 kills. U of L’s Hannah Kvitle and Randi Ewing each had two blocks with Caitlin Welch adding a team-high 10 digs.

 

“Maya McClendon had a her coming out party on the biggest stage possible not to mention with her entire family and sister on the other side of the net. She has such a promising future,” said Kordes.

U of L fell behind early in the first set, trailing 14-4 before scrambling back with long rallies and aggressive serving to pull within five at 16-11. PSU kicked it up a notch, outscoring the Cards 10-4 down the stretch. Neither team was putting on a hitting clinic, with PSU hitting .185 and U of L at a chilly .185. Emily Juhl paced the Cards with 4 kills and Maya McClendon had three in the opening set.

The Cards were undaunted and led early in the second half when kills by Juhl and Brooke Mattingly helpe the Cards to an 8-6 lead. PSU answered with a 10-2 run and Kordes burned both her time outs trying to chill the hot hands of the Nittany Lions and trailed. U of L made a little run but fell 25-16 to trail 2-0 at the break. Mattingly and Juhl each had two kills in the set, but Cardinal hitting fell to -.176.

PSU emerged from the break in a higher gear and ran out to a 14-6 lead and the Cards could not grab the momentum and fell 25-13.

 

The good news is that it probably won't get any tougher for Louisville Volleyball the rest of the season...unless they make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. A learning experience for Kordes' Krew on what "the next level" looks like.

 

Knowing Kordes and her dedication to the team and sport, we surmise it won't be long before the Cards will be on the winning end of matchups like this and the AAC...although challenging...should prove to be a venue for another trophy in the Louisville display case.

 

Jeff McAdams will provide more on this two-day trip for the Cardinal volleyball squad later some time today or tomorrow. We hope he tells us about his Elmer Fudd, Nittany Lion hunting experience with the Orangmen as well.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>>><><><><><>


The latest installment of CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR is now available on the heavenly SoundCloud. We have 12+ minutes of Coach Jeff Walz, swimming with Coach Al and we can't figure out what day it is or why we're in the studio. (That's pretty much true each week...)

It's not too late to get down to the T&B Hardware Store for fantastic Labor Day deals and you can also match your wits with Jenny and Jeff on our weekly quiz.

We'd also like to thank the UK football team for providing such wonderful comedy entertainment Saturday night and Bobby Petrino for stopping by Bon-nay Say-bel's establishment for some post-game partying after Western whipped "them Cay-uts". It is now officially basketball season in Lexington.

Also, there's a little football going on at Papa John's today. It's officially "sold out" but check for scalpers around Gate 1 or 2 if your heart is set on going. Stop by 80 Under 80 and say "Hiya" to me and Sonja if you're down there.

Good luck to Field Hockey and women's Soccer, too....on the road in Virginia and North Carolina today.

SHOW LINK:

THE ONLY RADIO SHOW MARKIE MARK LISTENS TO

 

-Paulie

 

...