No. 12 Cardinals Set to Host Cardinal Invitational

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – No. 12 University of Louisville volleyball is set to host Missouri, South Dakota, and Northern Kentucky to L&N Federal Credit Union Arena this weekend, Sep. 3-5, for the Cardinal Invitational.

The Cardinals take on Missouri first on Friday, Sep. 3 at 7:00 p.m. ET. They will face off against South Dakota for match two on Saturday, Sep. 4 at 6:00 p.m. ET and close out the weekend with a final match against NKU on Sunday, Sep. 5 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Missouri vs. Louisville
Louisville and Mizzou have met four times prior to this weekend's matchup, with the series tied 2-2. The last time the two teams met was Dec. 4, 2004, when Louisville won took home the win 3-1. Led by Coach Joshua Taylor (third season), the Tigers enter the weekend with an 0-3 mark after falling to Saint Louis, Kansas City and Creighton. The Tigers made their sixth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance in the abbreviated 2020 season. Notable returners for Missouri include junior outside hitter Anna Dixon and sophomore libero Emily Brown. Dixon earned All-SEC honors last season after recording 273 kills in 2020. Brown became the first freshman since 2004 and the third true freshman ever to lead the team in digs last season.

South Dakota vs. Louisville
The Cardinals match against South Dakota will mark the first meeting between the two programs. Last season, the Coyotes finished the season with a record of 15-7, including a third-place finish in the Summit League, Summit League Tournament championship and an NCAA Tournament berth. Coach Leanne Williamson enters her eighth season at the helm for South Dakota. The Coyotes return all seven of their 2020 starters including Summit League First Team honorees Elizabeth Juhnke, Madison Harms and Sami Slaughter. Juhnke led the league with 346 kills and 4.17 kills per set, while Harms led the league in total blocks with 110 and blocks per set with 1.31. This is the season opener for USD.

Northern Kentucky vs. Louisville
UofL's final match of the weekend against Northern Kentucky will be the 19^th meeting and first since Oct. 22, 1984, between the two teams. Louisville won the last matchup 3-2 and is on a six-match win streak. In the 2020-21 season, Coach Liz Hart (12^th season) led the Norse to a 1-1 season mark thus far, dropping a match to Ohio State and beating Ohio University last weekend. The Norse posted a 9-5 record and made the Horizon League tournament semifinals, marking the seventh straight year the team has at least reached the semi-final round. NKU returns four players who averaged more than 2 kills per set last season in outside hitter Anna Brinkman, setter Miranda Wucherer, middle blocker Abby Kanakry and outside hitter Reilly Briggs. Brinkmann is a two-time All-Horizon League First team selection and Wucherer ranked second in the nation last season with two triple-doubles.

The Cardinals open the season 3-0 after traveling to Tempe, Ariz. for the Sun Devil Invitational. Sophomore Anna DeBeer came away with tournament MVP honors while Anna Stevenson and Amaya Tillman joined her on the All-Tournament team. After the weekend sweep, Louisville moved up from No. 13 in the national rankings and now sit at No. 12 in the country.

FOLLOW THE CARDS ON SOCIAL
For the latest information on Louisville volleyball, visit GoCards.com, or follow the team's Twitter account at @UofLVolleyball or on Facebook at facebook.com/UofLVolleyball.

PROMOTIONS

No. 12 Louisville vs. Missouri
Date: Friday, Sept. 3
Time: 7:00pm
Promotions:
• 2020 ACC Championship Banner Sticker Giveaway
• Friday Night Happy Hour - $3 Beers
• Live DJ – Music ft. DJ Jarrod Posey

No. 12 Louisville vs. South Dakota
Date: Saturday, Sept. 4
Time: 6:00pm
Promotions:
• Schedule Poster Giveaway

No. 12 Louisville vs. Northern Kentucky
Date: Sunday, Sept. 5
Time: 1:00pm
Promotions:
• Schedule Poster Giveaway
• $6 Family Meal Deal (hot dog, chips, & drink combo)

POLICIES & PROCEDURES

• A Clear Bag Policy remains in place UofL athletics facilities.
• All concessions stands will be cashless for the 2021 season. All major credit cards will be accepted. Mobile pay options (Apple pay, Google Pay, etc.) will not be accepted.
• Louisville Athletics will adhere to the most updated campus COVID-19 safety protocols.

WEAR MASKS!!!
Regardless of vaccination status, all guests, staff, and vendors will be required to wear a mask while visiting any indoor area on the UofL campus inclusive of L&N Federal Credit Union Arena. Guests must remain masked unless actively eating or drinking.

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Players Mentioned

Anna DeBeer

Anna Stevenson

Amaya Tillman

University of Louisville Athletics