University of Louisville
CONNECTICUT
Volleyball Sweeps UConn
September 25, 2011 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 25, 2011
Lola Arslanbekova had 18 kills, an ace and a block to lead the University of Louisville volleyball team to a 25-7, 25-13, 25-20 victory over BIG EAST foe UConn on Sunday afternoon in the KFC Yum! Center.
"We executed at a very high level today," said U of L head coach Anne Kordes. "The key to this match was we came in focused and no matter who is on the other side of the net, we played with enthusiasm and focus. Lola had another great match for us, but I thought Caitlin Welch did a great job passing and Brooke Mattingly was a threat in the middle for us as well."
The Cardinals hit .387, outpacing the Huskies in kills 45-23 and on defense with 57 digs to UConn's 35. Welch had a match-high 21 digs with setter Taylor Brauneis adding a double-double with 37 assists and 11 digs. Mattingly had eight kills and three blocks. UConn was led by Jordan Kirk's six kills.
U of L used .344 hitting after running out to a 14-4 lead to put the Huskies away 25-7 in the first set. Lola Arslanbekova hit .500 with six kills, moving her into the No. 10 all-time position at Louisville in career kills. Caitlin Welch rocked two service aces and Tanya Lukyanenko recorded three blocks for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals used a 12-1 run to build an unsurmountable lead in the second set en route to the 25-13 win. A torrid hitting percentage of .560 was too much for the Huskies to defend and four Cardinal blocks thwarted the UConn attack. U of L outhustled the Huskies on defense with a 16-8 dig disparity.
The Huskies managed to tie the third set at 10 but never led again as U of L dug in for the 25-20 win.
