BOX SCORE (PDF)
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Samford volleyball team dropped a 3-0 (21-25, 12-25, 22-25) decision to Louisville in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Thursday evening at E.A. Diddle Arena.
Samford ends its season with a record of 24-6. Louisville improves to 20-9 with the win, and the Cardinals advance to Friday's second round.
LOUISVILLE 3, SAMFORD 0
KEY MOMENTS
- In the first set, Louisville jumped out to an early 3-1 lead.
- With Samford trailing, 12-10, Louisville went on a 5-0 run to take a 17-10 lead.
- Samford answered with an 8-2 run to cut the lead to 19-18.
- Samford, however, could not get over the hump in the first set and the Cardinals took the 25-21 set win.
- Louisville scored the first five points of the second set to take an early lead.
- With Louisville leading, 16-11, the Cardinals scored nine of the next 10 points to take the set, 25-12.
- Louisville again got off to a hot start in the third set, taking a 10-3 lead.
- Samford answered with a 7-2 run to cut the lead to 12-10.
- Louisville stretched the lead back out to six points at 21-15.
- Samford fought back to cut the lead to 24-22, but Louisville scored the final point to close out the 25-22 set win and the 3-0 match victory.
FROM THE BOX SCORE
NEXT UP
The loss ends the 2019 season for Samford.
HEAD COACH QUOTES
Head Coach Keylor Chan Opening Statement:
"I'm just so grateful and thankful for this group of amazing young women, and the opportunity to lead Samford Volleyball. Tonight was a tough night. Louisville is very good and we knew that, but I don't think it diminishes anything that this group has accomplished. I couldn't be more proud of the legacy these seniors have left. I've coached them exclusively for my tenure, and the things and foundations they've put in place are special."
Coach Chan on what he saw from his team during a third-set rally:
"Just heart. The things you talk about in athletics, they go beyond just the win and the loss. We wanted to win, don't get me wrong, but I think that you just never know when it's going to turn. When you're putting yourself in those positions of doing things for the first time, you have to continually beat down those doors until it happens."
Coach Chan on the legacy of this team on Samford Volleyball:
"I'm just so proud of this group, and it really is an honor to lead Samford Volleyball as the head coach. All the credit to Louisville. [Louisville head coach] Dani [Busboom Kelly] got her team ready to play, and they've been there and done it – you can see it. One day, it'll be our time."
STUDENT-ATHLETE QUOTES
Kelsi Hobbs on looking back on the experience of this season and this game:
"As seniors, we could not be more grateful for a season like we had. We opened a lot of doors for this program, and we know that we are so proud of each other and of the team. To get to come back to the NCAA Tournament is such a blessing and we realize that. Tonight didn't go the way we wanted it to, but we can't let the outcome of tonight overlook this whole season and the work we've put in for years to make this happen."
Courtney Johnson on looking back on the experience of this season and this game:
"It's been an honor to lead next to Kelsey and
Lauren Deaton and just lead this team to everything we've accomplished this year. We've made history in Samford Volleyball and we can hold our heads high and say that. It's an honor to have led this team, and I know that the returners are going to give it everything they have when they'll be in these shoes next year, because I have no doubt in my mind that they will be."
