The Cardinal Skill Breakdown: The Back Row Attack
The back row attack has long been a valuable offensive weapon for the Louisville Cardinals—used to stretch the defense, add pace to the offense, and create scoring opportunities even when out of system. In recent years, it played a key role in the Cards’ game plan thanks to heavy-hitters like Charitie Luper and Anna DeBeer, both known for their ability to score from behind the 10-foot line.
But with both of those players graduating, the Cards head into the 2025 season without a clear back row threat. So far this spring, Louisville has largely stayed away from this playset, focusing instead on a more traditional, front-loaded offense. There are several reasons why.
Personnel Shifts
Louisville’s current roster features three key left-side attackers—Chloe Chicoine, Payton Petersen, and Ava Utterback—who are undersized by comparison to past options. While they are athletic and capable of creating sharp angles at the net, their smaller frames naturally limit the attack window from the back row. That makes clean, terminal swings from behind the line a lower-efficiency option.
Tactical Adjustments
Statistically, Louisville has generated more efficient scoring from the front row during spring play. The offense has emphasized tempo to the pins, quick connections with the middles, and terminal swings off fast transitions. With rising sophomore Nayelis Cabello and freshman Hannah Kenny (a setter/libero hybrid) running the offense, simplifying the system during the offseason has likely been a priority.
Potential Moving Forward
Still, the Cards have options. Chicoine has shown the ability to hit from the back row in former competition, and Petersen has the vertical and court vision to be developed in that role. While we haven’t seen it this spring, the back row attack may still emerge situationally—especially against teams with strong blocking up front or when Louisville needs to extend rallies out of system.
For now, the Cards seem committed to a system that prioritizes front-row offense. With a deep middle blocker group led by veterans Cara Cresse and Hannah Sherman, and the size of Reese Robins on the right pin, Louisville is well-equipped to keep most of their offense above the net.
This is the first in a weekly series breaking down key skills from the Louisville Cardinals. Check back each week as we highlight how these skills are being developed and executed heading into the 2025 season.
Photo Credit: University of Louisville Athletics
