LOUISVILLE, Ky. – No. 12 Penn State Women's Volleyball fell 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-16) to No. 2 Louisville on Sunday afternoon at the L&N Federal Credit Union Arena. The Nittany Lions dropped to 4-3 overall, with all three losses coming to nationally-ranked opponents. The Cardinals stayed unbeaten at 8-0.
Penn State held Louisville to just .186 hitting thanks in large part to 10 blocks, but Louisville countered with the help of a strong pass-receive performance. The Cardinals didn't allow a single ace while serving for five of their own.
Jess Mruzik paced the Nittany Lions with 12 kills, reaching double-digits for the fifth time in seven matches. Camryn Hannah moved one kill from 1,000 for her career with her three against the Cardinals.
Taylor Trammell was in on six blocks for Penn State. Cassie Kuerschen was tops in digs with nine.
All-American Anna DeBeer recorded a double-double with 10 kills and 11 digs for Louisville. Aiko Jones hit .312 with eight kills.
Louisville was the national runner-up last season, falling to Texas in the championship match.
Set 1
Penn State held Louisville to .059 hitting but managed just .029 hitting of its own in a 25-17 loss in the opening set. Jones did the damage for the Cardinals, hitting .429 with four kills. Elena Scott had seven digs. Kuerschen tallied five digs for the Nittany Lions.
Set 2
Jess Mruzik hit .857 with six kills and three digs in a losing effort in the second set. The Cardinals hit .333 on the other side behind 13 assists from Elle Glock. Louisville led by as much as six multiple times throughout the early to midpoint of the set. Penn State chipped away until it appeared it cut the deficit to two at 19-17 on a Louisville attack error. A successful challenge by the Cardinals made it 20-16 instead, and the comeback attempt was squashed.
Set 3
Louisville jumped out to a 5-0 start and led the entire way in a 25-16 win that clinched the home victory.
Up Next
No. 12 Penn State hosts UMBC and Seton Hall for the Penn State Classic on Sept. 15-17.