LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Somewhere between the lightning strike and the lights-out performance, the University of Louisville volleyball team found something Monday night.
Call it a spark. A reset. A reminder of who they are and where they’re trying to go.
Whatever it was, the lights came back on.
Three days after a gut-punch five-set loss to in-state rival Kentucky — and moments after a lightning strike briefly knocked out some power inside the KFC Yum! Center — the No. 6-ranked Cardinals flipped the switch and swept past Western Kentucky (25-15, 25-17, 25-20).
It was a wire-to-wire response. And, head coach Dan Meske hopes, a turning point.
“I think that’s the pivotal point we were looking for in our season,” Meske said, grinning postgame, taking omens wherever they present themselves. “We were chomping at the bit to get back after a match against Kentucky where we felt like we had opportunities, and we were just ready to play anybody. We wanted to get back out on the court and get after it.”
They got after it.
Leadership on display
The win marked Louisville’s 20th straight over WKU and closed its nonconference slate at 8-2. But more than a streak or a stat line, it was a test of the Cardinals’ emotional reset — and their leadership infrastructure.
The captains passed.
After reviewing film earlier in the day, veterans Cara Cresse and Nayelis Cabello called a team huddle. It wasn’t a big speech, but “it was probably necessary,” Meske said. And it mattered.
Nayelis Cabello prepares for one of her 36 assists in Louisville's sweep of WKU in the KFC Yum! Center.
“They brought the team in and had a little meeting about stuff we did at timeouts, just building the vibe of the team,” Meske said. “It really matters to this group, and especially to these leaders. They took some major ownership, as did the coaches, and it was a step forward.”
That tone translated immediately on the court.
Cresse, still stewing from the Kentucky loss, came out blistering — pounding 10 kills on just 17 swings (.588) and adding eight blocks. Cabello, quarterbacking the 5-1 offense, dished 36 assists and added nine digs, guiding the Cards to a .274 team hitting mark while holding WKU to just .080.
“That’s first-team All-American-caliber numbers,” Meske said of Cabello. “She just keeps getting better and better. A lot of times, I have to remind myself she's a sophomore, because some of the things she can do physically. But for where she's at and the progress she's making, we're pretty excited about her.”
A full-team flip
The Cards were steady throughout. Chloe Chicoine had 8 kills and 14 digs. Kalyssa Blackshear and Payton Petersen added 9 kills apiece. Kamden Schrand anchored the back with 14 digs and two aces. Ava Utterback added two more aces off the bench.
Louisville dominated at the net, out-blocking WKU 12-6 and controlling long stretches with serving pressure — a point of emphasis after the loss to Kentucky.
“That was the toughest we’ve served all year,” Meske said. “If we can do that against everyone moving forward, it opens up more and more opportunities to close those kind of big games like we’ve had thus far this season.”
Even with WKU (9-4) short two of its top players — All-CUSA setter Callie Bauer and middle blocker Izzy Van De Wiele — the Hilltoppers didn’t roll over. They made Louisville work in the third set. But Cresse and company slammed the door.
Flipping the page
Louisville now turns to conference play, opening with Boston College on Friday in L&N Arena on campus. This wasn’t just a tune-up. It was a tone-setter.
Yes, WKU was short-handed. Yes, the arena lights went out for a few seconds.
But maybe, as Meske said with a laugh, they’ll look back and call that the moment things flipped.
“It’s going to take some time with this team,” he said. “To see how leadership shakes out on a day-to-day basis and in tough matches. But I’m impressed and excited with what I’ve seen so far.”
After the lights came back on, Louisville looked ready to shine again.
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