Cards Survive a Thriller: Louisville Battles Past Marquette to Punch Ticket to the Sweet Sixteen

Inside a packed and raucous L&N Federal Credit Union Arena, Louisville found itself in the kind of postseason match that tests every layer of a team’s identity. In a five-set battle marked by surges, adjustments, and relentless offense on both sides, the No. 2-seeded Cardinals outlasted Marquette 3–2 (21-25, 25-11, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12) to advance to their seventh straight Sweet Sixteen.

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From the opening whistle, nothing came easily for Louisville. Marquette swung freely, hit near .400 early, and kept the Cardinals off balance in ways few opponents have managed this year. Louisville didn’t record a block in the opening set, and momentum swung like a pendulum for more than two hours. Still, when the match tightened, the Cardinals’ response was simple: settle in, trust the system, and lean on experience.

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A Career Night Leads a Record Offensive Output

Louisville posted a season-high 77 kills, a total that may stand as a program record, behind a career-defining performance from junior outside hitter Chloe Chicoine. Chicoine finished with 28 kills on .415 hitting, adding seven digs while carrying the offense in crucial moments. Her final swing sealed the match at 15-12 and capped one of the most complete outings of her career.

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Sophomore outside hitter Payton Petersen provided steady support with 19 kills and 10 digs, marking another postseason double-double. Together, the duo anchored an offense that operated with both volume and efficiency, hitting .404 as a team in a five-set match.

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Louisville’s balance extended far beyond the pins. Middle blocker Cara Cresse delivered 13 kills on .478 hitting and a team-best seven blocks, while right-side hitter Kalyssa Blackshear added 11 kills at a .450 clip with four blocks. Fellow middle Hannah Sherman was nearly perfect with six kills on seven attempts. Setter Nayelis Cabello steered the attack with 62 assists, two aces, four blocks, and calm decision-making throughout the night.

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On the defensive end, libero Kamden Schrand posted 20 digs and defensive specialist Hannah Kenny added 13, helping stabilize the floor as Marquette continued to apply pressure.

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Set-by-Set Breakdown

Set 1: Louisville opened with an ace, but service errors and Marquette’s early offensive rhythm created separation. The Golden Eagles controlled the final points and took the opener 25-21.

Set 2: The Cardinals responded emphatically. A 6-0 run, improved blocking, and renewed efficiency at the net produced a dominant 25-11 win to tie the match.

Set 3: Louisville fell behind 8-1 but mounted a significant comeback, eventually tying the set at 19-19. Despite taking a late lead, the Cardinals were edged 25-23.

Set 4: Louisville reestablished control, leaning on steady side-out play and timely kills from Blackshear to force a fifth set with a 25-19 victory.

Set 5: A fast 3-0 start gave Louisville the early advantage. Marquette rallied late, but the Cardinals closed the door behind Chicoine’s match-winning kill for a 15-12 finish.

Postmatch Perspective

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Though Louisville was pushed to its limit, the tone afterward was defined by appreciation rather than relief. Head coach Dan Meske emphasized the effort required to win matches at this stage of the season and praised the team’s perseverance.

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“It is so hard to win,” Meske said. “Hard to get to a Sweet 16. Everybody in this tournament is good. We will never take a win for granted.”

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On to Lincoln

Louisville now advances to the Lincoln Regional, where they will face the winner of Texas A&M and TCU. With No. 1 seed Nebraska also in the regional, the path forward is challenging, but Louisville’s performance on Saturday underscored their depth, firepower, and composure under pressure.

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After surviving one of the most demanding matches of their season, the Cardinals move on with confidence, battle-tested and prepared for the next step.