No. 9 Cardinals Sweep No. 8 Syracuse

Friday, October 9

LOUISVILLE, KY

6:00 p.m.

University of Louisville

3-1,3-1ACC

Syracuse

2-3,2-3ACC

Syracuse

Louisville

October 09, 2020 | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Syracuse Friday

Louisville wins 25-16, 25-12, 25-21

By: Chandler Brandes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Aiko Jones had 11 kills to guide the No. 9-ranked University of Louisville volleyball team to a 25-15, 25-12, 25-21 sweep over Syracuse at the L&N Federal Credit Union Arena on Friday night.

Louisville hit .310 with 12 blocks while Tori Dilfer posted a match-high 25 assists. Claire Chaussee and Amaya Tillman both tallied five kills and Alexis Hamilton led the team with seven digs. Syracuse hit -.023 as Polina Shemanova recorded 10 kills. UofL outblocked the Orange 12-7 led by Tillman's nine. DeBeer had two of the Cards' three aces.

"Our big focus this week was to be better defensively," said UofL Head Coach Dani Busboom Kelly. "We held Syracuse to a negative hitting percentage so we executed really well. The challenge is far from over as we know Syracuse will be much better tomorrow."

Louisville took control right from the start, taking a commanding 8-3 lead in Set 1 behind a trio of kills from Jones. From there, UofL continued to build upon their lead throughout the first set, never allowing Syracuse to come within seven points. A block from Tillman and a kill by Jones sealed the opening set for the Cardinals, 25-15.

The Cardinals carried their momentum into Set 2, jumping out to an 11-3 advantage after back-to-back service aces from Jones. A kill from Amaya Tillman marked nine unanswered points for Louisville as they extended their lead to 23-8, their largest of the match. Another kill by Jones clinched set point for the Cardinals as they handily won the second frame, 25-12.

Syracuse applied pressure early on in Set 3, but Louisville regained control after a pair of kills from Dilfer and Tillman. It was back-and-forth between the Cardinals and the Orange throughout the remainder of the set, but UofL secured the sweep as a Syracuse attack error gave them match point, 25-21.

The Cardinals (3-1) will face the Orange (2-3) again on Saturday, Oct. 10 at the L&N Federal Credit Union Arena for a 7:00 p.m. match.

Aiko Jones Celebrates win over Syracuse