University of Louisville
Jacksonville State
Volleyball Jumps Jacksonville State 3-1
November 28, 2009 | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 28, 2009
The University of Louisville senior Lecia Brown had 10 kills and tied a school record with 13 blocks to lead the Cardinals to a 25-27, 25-12, 25-15, 25-14 win over Jacksonville State in college volleyball action Saturday afternoon in Cardinal Arena.
U of L (21-10) the BIG EAST Champion tied a school record with 23 total team blocks against the Ohio Valley Conference Champion Gamecocks (26-7). The Cardinals hit .361 as a team and aced the Gamecocks four times. JSU, coached by former U of L assistant and St. Xavier High School graduate Rick Nold, hit .114 and was led by Alyx Schulte's 13 kills. U of L's Lola Arslanbekova had a match-high 19 kills and four blocks to help the Cards with senior Justine Landi, adding 11 kills and seven digs. Gosia Lech had a match-high 45 assists for the Cards with libero Lindsey Mango recording 19 digs.
"This win helps keep our momentum going into the NCAAs next week after the BIG EAST win and the holiday it is back to business," said U of L coach Leonid Yelin. "Jacksonville is very well coached, of course, and it was the perfect matchup for us."
JSU, which came into Cardinal Arena in 2006 and pulled an upset, came out gunning for the Cardinals in the first set. JSU hit a torrid .350, led by Schulte's five kills. JSU didn't take its first lead until 23-22 and then muscled in for the 27-25 win. The teams were even in blocks with two apiece. U of L hit .324 led by Lecia Brown's six kills.
U of L used an 11-0 run late in the second set to beat the Gamecocks 25-12. The Cards' block came alive with U of L outblocking JSU 9-1 led by Brown's eight. Lola Arslanbekova led the hitters with four kills. The Cards hit .333 but JSU's hitting cooled to -.115. U of L recorded three aces to help the cause.
U of L had a 7-1 run late in the third set to go up 22-12 and then powered on to a 25-15 win. The Cards hit .367 and added two blocks. Justine Landi added four kills for the Cardinals.
The Cards ran out to a 10-5 lead in the fourth set and used .435 hitting and added seven blocks to freeze any JSU comeback. The Gamecocks were able to score two straight after a five point run to get within eight at 22-14 but it was too little, too late as the Cards scored three straight to take the set and match.
U of L earned the BIG EAST automatic bid last weekend and will find out its opponent Sunday at 3 p.m. when the NCAA announces the bracket. Jacksonville State earned the OVC automatic berth and will advance as well.
