By Noah Allison–

Louisville improved to 14-8 overall with a 6-4 ACC record after last night’s 3-1 victory over Syracuse (8-14).

Louisville defeated Syracuse 3-0 in New York just a few weeks ago and came out in the first set of last night’s match in the same dominant fashion, winning 25-12. But, after making quick work of Syracuse in the first set, the match slowed down. Syracuse was able to scrap out the second set and win 25-22, tying the match at a set apiece heading into the break.

“I thought we played really well, the first game we came out really strong, it was rocky for the second game but then we came out in the third set really strong. Our blocking and our defense were great, so that definitely helped us win,” freshman middle blocker Tess Clark said.

The Cards finished well and won the next two sets 25-16 and 25-14.

Sophomore outside hitter Janelle Jenkins led the Cards in kills with 17 and digs with 15. Louisville outhit Syracuse with 47 kills to the Orange’s 34.

Two games above .500 in the ACC the Cardinals showed glimpses of great play to come and poor play that may haunt them down the line.

“It was a bunch of errors on our part that almost put us in a dangerous situation there. But we were able to bounce back so that was a good job by our team,” head coach Anne Kordes said. “We don’t like to look like that this late in the season. We are trying to be polished and smooth at this point of the season and that’s what we have to keep focusing on.”

Of Louisville’s 45 assists, junior setter Katie George had 39 to go along with her 12 digs. Heading into the latter half of the season passing has been a point of emphasis for Louisville’s areas of improvement.

“We’ve got to get more consistent, we’ve got to become a better passing team,” Kordes said.

Of the bright spots was Louisville’s blocking effort. Led by two talented freshmen at the middle blocker position, Tess Clark and Maggie DeJong, Louisville is improving as a team in the blocking spectrum and their 16 against Syracuse was a definite factor in the win.

“Tara Gowen came in and provided a spark from the bench, her blocking is just so big and athletic. And then Janelle (Jenkins) is just so incredible. She actually jumps higher on the move to the left so to get her to block on the move to the left is fun to watch,” Kordes said. “If we can control the serve in those situations then we can end up going on some nice runs. Its fun.”

Louisville hosts Virginia on Sunday at 2:00 pm at the KFC Yum! Center. It will be a rematch of the 0-3 road loss U of L suffered to the Cavaliers earlier in the season.

“It’s not just a great RPI match for us but in my opinion it’s a little bit of a revenge match for us,” Kordes said. “We went up there and they beat us, they took care of us and it didn’t feel good. We didn’t have Maggie (DeJong) in that match and I’m excited because I think if we can keep her healthy than we get an opportunity to give them something back. So we’ll see.”

Photo by Austin Lassell / The Louisville Cardinal