The weekend was in place to be a magical ending for the Louisville volleyball squad. They entered this year’s 2021 NCAA Tournament as the No.1 overall seed, having never tasted the sour grapes of defeat for this entire season. The unbeaten (32-0) Cards hadn’t even lost a set until their 4th game of the national tournament. Thursday night, Wisconsin handed Louisville a different result to add to their record column, a loss.
Wisconsin defeated the Louisville 3-2 in what was an intense game throughout. There were plenty of stoppages during this contests to check net violations among other potential errors on both sides. The atmosphere in Columbus was palpable to the casual fan watching a championship battle to reach the top of the mountain. Wisconsin will now face Nebraska for the national title.
Louisville was clearly the juggernaut of this year’s volleyball season. Coach Dani Busboom Kelly was awarded national coach of the year, but I am sure that pales in comparison to being able to lead your team to a national championship. One can assume that the pressure of being the “big bird on the block” can ruffle any team’s feathers as the season meanders along. Great season for the Cards! Let’s continue to support this team in their quest to fulfill their championship dreams next season. Final Four isn’t too shabby.