Cardinals Rise in Atlanta: Louisville Overpowers Georgia Tech in Friday Night Showdown

Louisville delivered a convincing 3–1 win on the road Friday night, overpowering Georgia Tech in a performance defined by dominant blocking, efficient offense, and a standout night from multiple Cardinals. The victory pushes Louisville to 23–4 overall and 15–2 in ACC play.

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Blackshear Leads with Career Performance

Kalyssa Blackshear turned in the most complete match of her collegiate career. She finished with 15 kills on .433 hitting and recorded a career-high 10 blocks for her first double-double. Blackshear’s presence at the net consistently shifted momentum, and her early production set the tone for Louisville’s control throughout the match.

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Record-Level Blocking Effort

Louisville’s defense was the driving force, recording a season-high 21 team blocks. Hannah Sherman matched the school record with 14 blocks, tying the mark set earlier this season by Cara Cresse. Cresse also contributed 10 kills on .389 hitting along with eight blocks. The collective performance at the net stalled Georgia Tech’s attack for long stretches and dictated the rhythm of the match.

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Balanced and Efficient Offense

The Cardinals paired their defensive success with steady offensive execution. Louisville hit .334 as a team with 54 total kills.

Chloe Chicoine recorded 15 kills to anchor the left side, while freshman Payton Petersen added 13 kills on .426 hitting in one of her most efficient outings of the season. The balanced scoring kept Georgia Tech off balance and allowed Louisville to control the pace in key stretches.

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Set by Set

Set 1 (25–23)

Louisville erased a mid-set deficit with five team blocks and a late push capped by a Petersen kill. Blackshear led early with six kills and three blocks as the Cardinals closed strong.

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Set 2 (25–14)

A tight opening gave way to a decisive Louisville surge. Blackshear’s ninth kill sparked a 9–0 run as the Cardinals hit .458 and created significant separation.

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Set 3 (23–25)

Georgia Tech claimed the third set after a series of momentum swings. The Yellow Jackets closed with a kill and block to extend the match despite Louisville’s consistent pressure.

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Set 4 (25–15)

Tied at seven, Louisville took control with a 5–0 run and never looked back. Continued success at the net and late offense from Cresse closed out the match, holding Georgia Tech to just five points after Louisville reached 17.

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Up Next

Louisville continues ACC play as the postseason approaches, looking to finish the regular season with momentum following another strong road performance.