Louisville earns second NCAA volleyball championship berth in 3 years, beating top-seeded Pitt 3-1

By GARY B. GRAVES The Associated Press

FILE - Louisville's Anna DeBeer, right, spikes the ball against Pittsburgh's Rachel Fairbanks (10) in the third set during the semifinals of the NCAA volleyball tournament Dec. 15, 2022, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/John S. Peterson, File)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/John Peterson]

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Anna DeBeer recorded 14 kills before leaving with a right ankle injury, Payton Peterson recorded consecutive aces in her place and top-seeded Louisville beat No. 1 overall seed Pittsburgh 3-1 to reach its second NCAA volleyball championship in three years. The host Cardinals stopped a four-match losing streak against the Panthers, including two this season, and will face the winner of the second semifinal between Big Ten foes Penn State and Nebraska in Sunday’s championship. Louisville overcame a 25-21 opening-set loss to beat Pitt 25-23, 29-27 and 25-17. All-American outside hitter/right setter Olivia Babcock had 33 kills for the Panthers, whose 18-match winning streak was snapped.