Sunday, September 20
Lexington, KY
3:00 p.m.
University of Louisville
at
#4 Kentucky
Photo by: Savion Butler | Louisville Athletics
No. 3 Cards Set for Battle of the Bluegrass Against No. 4 Kentucky
September 19, 2026 | Women's Volleyball
Sunday’s edition of the rivalry marks the first time the teams have played each other both ranked in the top five.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The No. 3-ranked University of Louisville volleyball team heads to Lexington, Ky., to take on in-state rival No. 4 Kentucky on Sunday, Sept. 20. First serve is set for 3 p.m. ET and the contest will be broadcast on ABC.
The Cardinals look to extend their win streak to 10 matches after sweeping Western Kentucky on Sept. 16. The battle against the Wildcats will be the first time the squads have faced each other with both ranked in the top five nationally.
TEAM NOTES
· Louisville maintained its momentum against Western Kentucky on Sept. 16, securing the sweep (25-15, 25-19, 25-19). The Cards' defense showed out, holding WKU to only 24 kills on just a .063 hitting percentage. Louisville also recorded a season-high 11 total blocks and added 42 digs. On the offensive end of the court, UofL tallied 37 kills on a .287 hitting percentage while adding seven aces.
· The Cardinals sit at No. 3 in the AVCA/Taraflex Coaches Poll, two spots higher than their Week Two ranking of No. 5.
PLAYER NOTES
· Middle blocker Brooke Bultema dominated on both sides of the floor against WKU, stuffing the Hilltoppers' offense with a career-high nine blocks. The Kentucky transfer also posted eight kills on a .429 hitting percentage to help boost the Cards' offensive efforts.
· Setter Nayelis Cabello also earned a career-high with nine total blocks on Wednesday to help shut down WKU's offense. The reigning ACC Setter of the Week added 30 assists and totaled four digs with a pair of kills to round out her all-around performance.
· Opposite Kalyssa Blackshear fueled the Cardinals' offense against the Hilltoppers with 12 kills on a .417 clip. The performance marked her seventh straight match with at least 10 kills, while also hitting over .400 in five of them.
· Outside hitter Chloe Chicoine continued her stellar season against WKU, tallying 11 kills with no errors on a .355 clip while serving up three aces. The senior has recorded at least 10 kills in all 11 matches, while hitting over .300 in nine of them.
For the latest information on Louisville Volleyball, visit GoCards.com, or follow the team's Instagram and X account at @louisvillevb or on Facebook at facebook.com/LouisvilleVB.
The Cardinals look to extend their win streak to 10 matches after sweeping Western Kentucky on Sept. 16. The battle against the Wildcats will be the first time the squads have faced each other with both ranked in the top five nationally.
TEAM NOTES
· Louisville maintained its momentum against Western Kentucky on Sept. 16, securing the sweep (25-15, 25-19, 25-19). The Cards' defense showed out, holding WKU to only 24 kills on just a .063 hitting percentage. Louisville also recorded a season-high 11 total blocks and added 42 digs. On the offensive end of the court, UofL tallied 37 kills on a .287 hitting percentage while adding seven aces.
· The Cardinals sit at No. 3 in the AVCA/Taraflex Coaches Poll, two spots higher than their Week Two ranking of No. 5.
PLAYER NOTES
· Middle blocker Brooke Bultema dominated on both sides of the floor against WKU, stuffing the Hilltoppers' offense with a career-high nine blocks. The Kentucky transfer also posted eight kills on a .429 hitting percentage to help boost the Cards' offensive efforts.
· Setter Nayelis Cabello also earned a career-high with nine total blocks on Wednesday to help shut down WKU's offense. The reigning ACC Setter of the Week added 30 assists and totaled four digs with a pair of kills to round out her all-around performance.
· Opposite Kalyssa Blackshear fueled the Cardinals' offense against the Hilltoppers with 12 kills on a .417 clip. The performance marked her seventh straight match with at least 10 kills, while also hitting over .400 in five of them.
· Outside hitter Chloe Chicoine continued her stellar season against WKU, tallying 11 kills with no errors on a .355 clip while serving up three aces. The senior has recorded at least 10 kills in all 11 matches, while hitting over .300 in nine of them.
For the latest information on Louisville Volleyball, visit GoCards.com, or follow the team's Instagram and X account at @louisvillevb or on Facebook at facebook.com/LouisvilleVB.
Players Mentioned
OPP
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
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