Louisville women's volleyball
Adam Mouchrani | Louisville Athletics

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) - No. 4 Louisville went to a refurbished Memorial Coliseum in Lexington and didn't allow any remodeling of recent results in the state's annual rivalry showdown between two of the country's top college volleyball programs.

The Cardinals got their fourth straight win over No. 11 Kentucky in four sets, running their season win streak to six. Louisville now has four wins over ranked opponents and sits at 8-1 for the year.

It was the U of L defensive effort at the net that really set a tone on Wednesday night. The Cardinals reached a season high with 17 blocks. Cara Cresse and PK Kong towered over their teammates with 9 and 7 blocks each. 

Assumption alumna and star outside hitter Anna DeBeer did her usual work on offense, leading Louisville with 13 kills out of 30 total attacks. Sophomore Reese Robins continued to show her growth too, adding 11 kills and the match-winning point.

Louisville women's volleyball

The first set saw Louisville show what kind of defensive energy it would bring. U of L had five blocks while UK could not get one as the Cards took it 25-21.

Set two saw the offense get going a bit, as the Cardinals hit .400 in a 25-18 victory. Kentucky rebounded in the third set, winning 25-20 and showing some life before losing it again early in the final set. The Cards ran off six straight points to take an 11-5 lead and never looked back.

Louisville head coach Dani Busboom Kelly gets to welcome her alma mater to the KFC Yum! Center for her team's next match. No. 5 Nebraska visits the arena for a second time this season after beating Kentucky earlier this year in the AVCA First Serve Showcase.

Louisville women's volleyball

The Wildcats will face another ACC opponent on Saturday, traveling to No. 2 Stanford. 

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